USA > Nebraska > Seward County > History of Seward county, Nebraska, together with a chapter of reminiscenses of the early settlement of Lancaster county > Part 7
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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 members from the city. It is yet too early to form any just conclusion as to whether it will prove more satisfactory to the people than the commissioner system.
For some years our people had been looking anxiously for an op- portunity 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 thousand dollars in twenty year six per cent bonds were voted to the company. The proposi-
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA.
tions were submitted to the city and B, G, K, and M towns, as fol- lows: 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 running 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 has been 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. 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 competitors were in differ- ent 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.
Of the opening of four new stations we speak fully in other chap- ters; also of the improvements of 1887. We kindly refer the reader to the special papers on various subjects, institutions, and things; also the very interesting historical letters and personal notices of men and women. These all go as part of the history of our county.
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA.
CHAPTER IV.
CLIPPINGS FROM THE "NEBRASKA ATLAS," THE "BLUE VALLEY RECORD," AND THE "NEBRASKA REPORTER."
We clip from the first number of the Nebraska Atlas the following communications and items which we deem of interest. The date is March 16, 1870:
"The new school-house is to be commenced shortly. We are greatly in need of the building, and hope the committee will prose- cute the work with vigor. We trust it will be complete in time for the summer school."
This was our first frame school building, and it was afterwards sold, and is yet occupied as a residence by Hugh Hunter.
" There are nearly seven hundred dollars subscribed for the Baptist church edifice. This is most encouraging. Our citizens have taken hold of this matter in earnest, and there is no doubt but this summer will see the church edifice completed. Mr. Moffitt gives three lots on which to erect it."
" A petition is about to be started for the incorporation of our town. We hope to see every name on it."
In the same issue Judge J. D. Maine is credited with having raised on his farm in the Oak Grove settlement one hundred and fourteen bushels of corn to the acre, in the previous summer.
We select the following correspondence, which in the light of sub- sequent events, reads a little like prophecy :
" SEWARD, March 15, 1870,
" Dear Atlas:
" We are glad to welcome your appearance among us. It makes us feel as if we were getting out of the wilderness. We have been watching and waiting through a long night of anxiety, and now behold a 'sign of promise.' The darkness is giving way, the sky is brightening, the clouds that have overshadowed us are dis-
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA.
appearing, the day is dawning, and we rejoice. Now let us put our shoulders to the wheel of progress, and these waste places shall be made glad, this ' wilderness will smile,' and instead of the yelping of the coyote, or the hoot of the owl, or whoop of the wild man, as in days past, we will behold a city surrounded by thousands of splendid farms. Here we will see springing into life factories, seminaries, churches, and here will concentrate workshops and multitudes of mer- chants, and here will soon be heard the approaching tread of the iron horse. As the icy fetters of winter are giving way before a genial sun, we can already hear the sound of approaching footsteps from the far-off East, coming to find homes with us, and soon we shall hear the thundering tread of the mighty army that is coming to possess the land.
Truly,
"W. W. Cox."
We give also a letter from the county, which throws much light on the situation of things in general of that day :
" HICKMANVILLE, March 10, 1870. " Mr. Editor :
"Presuming that the Atlas is to be published for the general infor- mation of the whole country, and the inhabitants of Seward county in particular, I propose to give your readers a few items from this settlement, the 'land of promise.' This place lies five miles north of Seward and seven miles from Ulysses, and derived its name from its large influx of Hickmans from the state of Iowa, John D. Hick- man being the pioneer, who settled on his land (homestead) in 1868. Since that time immigrants have come so rapidly that all the govern- ment land in this immediate vicinity has been taken up, principally as homesteads. Some twenty buildings have already been erected, and several more are in course of erection.
"A school district was organized in the spring of 1869, with Thos. J. Poore as director. A school-house (sod) was built in the fall of that year, and a teacher hired, who commenced his labors January 1, 1870. We learn that the average attendance was twenty. A lyceum was also organized about January 1st, which was christened the Pioneer Lyceum, and which has been in full blast ever since, meeting weekly, and as far as I can learn, giving general satisfaction. In connection with the lyceum a paper was established ( Pioneer Banner)
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA.
devoted to literature, fine arts, general news, and advertisements. The paper has been well and ably edited, but an exchange of editors being necessary according to the by-laws, a Poore man was placed in the editorial chair.
"Our school closed its winter term February 25th, with honor to both teacher and scholars, the exhibition-the first in the county- taking place on Monday, the 28th. The house was crowded, and everything passed off harmoniously, and to the entire satisfaction of all, Hon. W. R. Davis delivering the oration.
" Thrift and enterprise seem to prevail. No less than seven wells have been sunk within sixty days, with gratifying results.
"The weather for the past few weeks has been magnificent. Prep- arations will be made for seeding soon if the weather continues good. We are looking for an early spring.
" Plenty of good land to the north and west of us, but none in this immediate vicinity.
" And now, Mr. Editor, having given you our situation, we trust that your endeavors to establish a first-class county newspaper will prove successful, and that your career may be honorable and pros- perous to yourself and those you represent, is the wish of your cor- respondent. N."
Clippings from old numbers of the Nebraska Atlas: (Only part of the files have been preserved.)
Feb. 27, 1871-Addie, wife of J. P. Losee, died. Mrs. Losee leaves a husband and a wide circle of friends to mourn her loss. She had been married but a year.
Mrs. Abram Wallick also died same day. She was in her thirty- sixth year, and was the mother of thirteen children, and a very esti- mable Christian lady. Her husband, large family, and a host of friends mourn for her.
July 21st-Warren Clough's wedding occurred.
July 28th-The first brick dwelling is mentioned, D. C. McKillip's residence.
Sept. 1st-Notice is given of the appointment of W. W. Cox as statistical correspondent of the Department of Agriculture
Sept. 22d-John Robert's new farm house is looming up.
Nov. 3d-Notes the advent of a man, wife, and nine girls, and only one son-in-law.
.
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA.
The Presbyterian church is raised.
June 18, 1873-I. B. Compton has just finished the first tin roof in Seward. (The old post-office building, just west of the Butler block.)
Same date notes that fourteen Bohemians loaded up with building material for their houses, for Hamilton county.
The visit of Thomas Scott, the railroad king, and ex-Gov. Denison, of Ohio, is commented on.
July 2d-Four fights in the streets are mentioned.
Aug. 27th-The Seward grain-buyers get a rough overhauling.
Sept. 3d-$5,000 school bonds were voted by a majority of twenty- one.
July 23d-State Bank is opened for business.
Aug. 13th-The purchase of the Presbyterian bell is noted. Also, that the telegraph is completed to Seward.
Dec. 10th-The Mohawk Lumber Co. have unloaded one hundred and seventy cars of lumber since March 1st.
Jan. 21, 1874-John N. Edwards is advertised for a free lecture at the church.
Jan. 1st-John Tressler and Carrie Olmstead are married.
Jan. 28th-The Baptist church was completed.
March 4th-The paper is badly nettled by the "crusade move- ment," and its columns are full of burlesque notices of them. They were evidently making it difficult for him to get his regular drinks.
April 22d-War was declared by Foucet's saloon against the cru- saders, and a shameful scene ensued, which reflected no credit upon the town or its officers.
May 13th-The incoming Midland train ran over a pole-cat, and the passengers need no perfumery for some time.
May 20th-The injunction in the case of Monteith, in regard to planting trees on the square, is yet unsettled.
May 27th-Work on the M. E. church is being pushed with vigor.
May 29th-Leroy Moffit, the only son of Lewis Moffit, died. Leroy was a kind-hearted boy of about twenty years, and the loss is sadly felt by his parents, the friends of the family, and the young people, with whom he was a favorite.
June 3d-Little, Brock & Curson's elevator is under construction, the first in town.
July 15th-The drowning of Peter Gerken in Blue river, just
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
south of town, is noted. Also, that Pricheau's block is going up rapidly ; that Seward has three select schools; and also, that the comet is visible and growing brighter.
From the Blue Valley Record of December 29, 1870, the first number ever issued, we extract the following interesting items :
The editor opens his paper with a three-column history of the county, in which he claims that Thomas West made the first settle- ment in 1859, and Daniel Morgan in 1860. He also credits J. L. Davison with being the third settler. This we are quite sure is a mis- take, for we were at Mr. Davison's house on Salt creek as late as the autumn of 1861, a little to the south-west of the present town of Roca. Mr. Davison opened his old Camden ranch in the fall of 1862. James West located in 1860, near his brother Thomas; and Orin Johnson as early as 1860.
The editor says that Mr. Davison, with a man by the name of Ellis, located the territorial road from Nebraska City to Fort Kearney, but fails to state the time. We are quite sure this occurred in the spring of 1860, for we distinctly remember that Wm. E. Hill and party, of Nebraska City, went and built the old bridge on the Blue near Cam- den, just above the forks of the river and just by the county line, in the early summer of 1860. So it is quite probable that the road was then located. The editor says that Mr. Davison as he returned from this trip pre-empted a place near Camden, which was afterwards the ranch. This is undoubtedly correct, but pre-emptors did not have to so carefully watch their claims then as later. There were scarcely any to molest or make afraid. The changing the name of the county is noted, and the building of the West mills; Parker and Roper's mill at Camden, and the Milford mills are all mentioned, and the agricultural resources and possibilities of the county are discussed at length. It is noted that immigration set in in earnest in 1866, and that all the eastern and northern states were represented, and it was claimed that the closing of the year 1870 found full three thousand souls in the county.
It was claimed that in the summer of 1870 there were broken over four thousand acres of land. The average crop report was noted as follows : wheat, twenty bushels per acre; oats, forty; corn, forty- five. Numerous groves had been planted. Osage, plum, cotton- wood, and walnut were experimented with for hedges. Our soils
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA.
are described as rich sandy loam, largely composed of decayed vege- table matter and underlaid with a clay subsoil, and well adapted to withstand drouth. The peat deposits west of Milford are noticed. The surface and drainage of the county are favorably commented upon, and it was claimed that the waste lands were all in some other county, which was very correct. The water-powers of the rivers receive favorable mention. The red sandstone of Middle creek, and the white limestone in the southern part of the county, also the shell limestone of the north-east, are all noted. The indications of coal are mentioned.
The school system and first school are mentioned as follows :
" The county being so thinly settled, the formation of a school dis- trict was not to be thought of until the year 1867, when a few fam- ilies combined and formed an independent school at Camden, and employed Miss Eva Hooker as teacher. This we believe to be the first school in the county." In this the editor is mistaken. There was one up near West mills prior to this ; also one at Seward as early as the previous winter. The people are represented as wide-awake in educational matters, and every individual was a committee of one to see that there was a school at the earliest possible date, and the result has been a healthy growth of educational interests in the young county. At the date of writing there are sixteen organized districts and one academical association. The teachers are highly commended, and also the patrons, for their zeal. The Southern Nebraska C. C. Academy, under the supervision of Hon. Geo. B. France, is spoken of as highly creditable to the county, and as already well spoken of abroad.
Three villages-Camden, Milford, and Seward-are all spoken of in the highest terms; a compliment is paid to the Nebraska Atlas, the pioneer newspaper of the county. Milford was well described as the county seat, and with two good water-powers and splendid possi- bilities.
In summing up the growth it is noted that from three families in 1862, now three thousand bright intelligent people have united their fortunes with the interests of the county.
The editor claims to have set squarely before the world the county of his choice, and he certainly did it; and even now we remember his efforts with gratitude, as he was so earnestly striving to make this wilderness to smile
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA.
CLIPPINGS.
" We notice a motto on a prairie schooner as follows: 'York county or bust.' "
" The apportionment of school money to Seward county for 1870 is $1,452.42 to 782 scholars."
We also note from same table that whole number of scholars in Nebraska was 32,762.
The editor's salutatory contains these words : " Morally we shall labor for what we believe to be truth and justice, and shall act upon what we profess." Also it says : " We shall labor for the best inter- ests of the republican party, not in a partisan spirit, but in a firm belief that it is the true party of progress and reform."
January 5, 1871 .- " J. L. Davison, of Milford, has nearly com- pleted the largest and best dwelling house in the county." The house spoken of is the square house just west of the bridge. It don't look the largest or the best in 1888.
" A number of prominent Seward people are in town (Milford) attending probate court." That reads strangely now.
"Wm. G. Keen is recommended for postmaster at Nelden, the new office on Walnut creek ten miles west of Milford."
January 12th .- " Fresh buffalo meat is on sale, at three cents per- pound."
From a communication by Fair Play, it is claimed that Miss Agnes Baily (now Mrs. Cornelius West) taught the first school in Saline county, near the county line, and was patronized by citizens of both counties. This was in the spring of 1861. She also taught a school near West's mill in 1863. So she has the honor of teaching the first school of both Saline and Seward counties; and Miss Englehouft taught the West Mills school in 1865-66. In 1866 the residents of Camden district organized under the school law, bought the old build- ing in Saline county and moved it over, and Thomas Graham taught during the winter of 1866-67.
The same article mentions that Thomas Graham has a fine orchard of apple and pear trees which are doing well, and that J. W. Low- rie has peaches of his own planting, probably the first in the county. It is also mentioned that Mrs. Graham, Mrs. Lowrie, and Mrs. Parker are making the prairies blaze with the variety and beauty of their flowers.
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA.
The county superintendent reports the school fund as follows:
Apportioned by state .$1,452 42
Dog fund. 193 38
Fines and licenses. 100 00
Total $1,745 80
This was distributed to twenty-six directors as follows :
District No. 1, F. L. Roper, Camden. $ 85 25
2, Orin Johnson, West Mills. 44 58
3, Sam Englehaught, on West Blue 51 15
4, W. J. Thompson, on Walnut creek 74 65
5, Rev. T. M. Skinner, Milford. 150 67
66 6, Matthew Hackworth (east of Ruby). 110 00
66 7, Geo. W. Lesenby, north of Milford 44 58
66 8, Wm. Anderson, west of Seward. 87 32
9, H. L. Boyes, Seward 125 92
10, J. D. Thurman, on Lincoln creek 58 72
66 11, W. W. Cox, north-west of Seward 44 58
12, Thomas Poore, six miles north of Seward ... 76 42
. 13, C. C. Berkey, center of " A ". 88 79
14, E. C. Archer, west of Staplehurst. 74 65
66 15, wanting.
16, A. Montgomery, north-west of " N " 78 19
17, M. M. Neeves. 62 28
18, Sam Strohm, center of "O" 33 96
19, Ed. Healy, south-west of "P" 56 95
20, J. N. McCauley, center of "M " 58 73
21, J. A. Reymer, south-east of "I" 53 42
22, Wolsey Weyant, southern "H" 46 35
66 23, Thos. Healey, northern " N" 55 19
66 24, R. J. McCall, west of "M ". 44 58
25, Wm. Halle, south-east of "N" 34 10
66 26, George W. Losy (Batchelor). 51 65
This was done at Milford, January 7, 1881, by George B. France, superintendent.
The reader will please compare the above table with the present showing of the disbursements to ninety districts. It will be noticed
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA.
that Milford district at that date was the most populous and had the most money, while Seward was second.
In March, 1871, it is noted that James Iler was appointed post- master at Pleasant Dale.
April 6th-The organization of the American Bible Society by Rev. McCandlish, of Omaha. Messrs. Birge Keyes, S. Brown, and D. C. Tift were elected executive committee. Culver and Parsons were appointed to care for the books.
Editor noting a visit of Geo. Mckay, A. D. Sperry, and E. H. Noxon, of the north county, says: "Perhaps we can visit you by rail before another century." The century proved to be a short one. You can do it now, my friend.
April 13th-"S. W. Huston has received his appointment as postmaster at Oak Grove." Now a town.
April 20th-" Wm. Knight has received his appointment as post- master at Groveland north of Seward."
May 4th-The return of a hunting party consisting of J. W. Hickman, Mr. Davis, Ellis Gandy, Elias Frane, and others, with three loads of buffalo meat. Their game was caught on the Kansas border, south of the Republican.
One hundred and eighty-nine immigrant wagons passed through Milford during April.
Tuesday, May 2d-The second term of the district court met. Judge Lake on the bench. Twenty-four cases on the docket.
We glean from the county superintendent's report for the year ending April 1st, the following interesting educational statistics: Whole number of children of school age 1,247
Number attending school
697
Number of teachers employed (male). 19 (female) 20
Average daily attendance. 457
Total amount paid teachers during year .$3,717.00
We also glean from an editorial note that there are twenty school- houses-six frame, four log, seven sod, and three dug-outs. The editor remarks that the people must have an inordinate desire to edu- cate the children, to face winter storms across the blighted rail- road lands, long distances to a dug-out or sod shanty to school. We think as much.
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA.
From a Seward correspondent of June 1, 1871, that Seward is a bright town of three summers, and has about one hundred and seventy people.
We also note that at that time H. M. Coleman was principal of our school.
The organization of the Odd Fellows' Lodge, with L. G. Johns as Noble Grand.
Tuesday, June 13th-At Milford the Good Templars organized a lodge. Rev. J. M. Yearnshaw, Dist. D. G. W. C. T., assisted by D. W. Amesbury, of Lincoln. Officers elected were: J. L. Davison, W. C. T .; Miss Mattie Drake, W. V. T .; H. G. Parsons, W. R. Scribe ; G. B. France, W. F. Sec .; Mrs. J. Laune, W. Treas .; F. J. Culver, W. Chaplain. Onaway was the name chosen.
Beaver Crossing was mentioned as " Nicholsville," and it is re- ported that work on the mill was progressing finely. Main street is. being surveyed, and everything is bidding fair to make a youthful city in a short time.
June 15th-H. W. Parker's nomination as registrar of Beatrice land office is noted.
June 20th-" Corn stands about six feet high in the Blue valley."
July 6th-" Jeff Stevens, a resident six miles north-west of here, was found dead under a load of overturned lumber, about four miles east of town, near the bridge on Middle creek. Mr. Stevens. leaves a wife and ten children to mourn his loss."
The June apportionment of school moneys shows $2,021.10, divided among forty districts.
We also notice that in this apportionment Seward leads with $132 .- 90, and Milford takes the second place with $125.25. Fourteen new districts had been formed since January.
This number contains a sharp letter from " Well Wisher," on the county seat embroglio. Also a long editorial on a newly discovered coal mine, which it was claimed had been found by Mr. Stockton, forty-seven feet below the surface, and Mr. S. claimed they had bored four feet and six inches into solid coal.
July 27th-Milford is announced as a money order office.
August 10th-Dr. Woodward is announced for a lecture. Sub- ject : " Immateriality of the mind and its relation to the body."
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA.
August 19th-The Record gives some heavy hits at the Seward liars for reporting small-pox at Milford.
August 24th-Gold is quoted at $1.12.
Same date, we find the report of a railroad meeting at Camden, W. C. Scott, chairman, and Ed. Healy, secretary. Judge Hooker and Gen. Vifquain offered the following resolutions :
WHEREAS, We, citizens of Seward, Saline, York, Hamilton, and Hall counties, have been fraudulently deprived of the benefits that might have arisen out of the construction of the B. & M. R. R. on their original survey ; and
WHEREAS, We settled along the line with the full understanding that the road should be built on said survey, according to act of congress, donating to them half our national inheritance; and
WHEREAS, The said corporation is assisted by Nebraska poli- ticians, in its schemes to plunder the people,
Be it resolved, That we pledge our sacred honors, without any re- gard to party ties, to send to oblivion by the strength of our ballots any man that comes before us for office who is in any manner con- nected with said corporation.
Resolved, That we authorize S. M. Boyd to commence proceedings in Nebraska and at Washington against said B. &. M. R. R. Co. for the purpose of compelling them to build a line of railway on their original survey, or that they be deprived of the lands received under this pledge.
Resolved, That the people of the United States, looking for loca- tions in Nebraska, are hereby notified that we hold the purchase of said railroad lands to be a dangerous bargain for the purchaser.
Resolved, That these resolutions be published in all Nebraska pa- pers, and in three in Iowa, and at least two in Illinois.
Resolutions adopted unanimously.
It was a swindle on the people of this and western counties, to give up half their lands to the rapacious corporation, and then not get a mile of the road.
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