USA > Nebraska > Lancaster County > Lincoln > History of the city of Lincoln, Nebraska : with brief historical sketches of the state and of Lancaster County > Part 12
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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF LINCOLN.
Sweet, State Treasurer, who had just arrived from Nebraska City, to be present when I should summon the architect and contractor, and hear their differences, previously having refused to hear either one until the arrival of the Governor. I requested Mr. Morris, (architect.) to bring with him the plans and specifications, and meet me at my room in the Cadman House at 1 P. M. He repaired to the shop on the capitol grounds, and was in the act of taking the plans from the contractor's desk, when the contractor came in and kicked him out of the shop. Both being English, the backs of both were "high" when they reached my room. I first heard the architect, then the contractor. The lie passed frequently between them; but in getting at the facts I found the difference arose about the ma- terial to go into the interior walls of the building. The contractor claimed that it should be sandstone, as that material was at hand, and its use would enable him to proceed with the work. The architect claimed that the walls should be brick. I asked Mr. Sweet to turn to the specification, which said the walls should be brick, "if brick could be had, otherwise stone." I said I would settle that point, and as there were no brick here, nor none being made, instructed the con- tractor to put up the walls with stone. The architect objected, and said I was only one of the Commissioners. I told him that was law, and the other two would confirm the decision. I explained to both that if they did not propose to each do his duty, and push the work to completion, we would remove both. I was satisfied that the arch- iteet wished the contractor to leave, so he could become contractor as well. Both shook hands, and each promised to do his best to com- plete the building in time for the coming session. I instructed Dun- bar & Bailey to hire all the teams they could get in the country, and rush the stone from Beatrice, and on my return to Omaha employed twelve stonecutters and sent them by wagon post haste for Lincoln, and work was resumed with considerable energy.
About two weeks afterward Mr. Ward, contractor, came into my office at Omaha with a Mr. Sweet, on his way to Chicago to buy doors, sash, glass, hardware, etc. He had an estimate for $2,600, of which $1,000 was to go to Mr. Sweet for money advanced to pay his men before leaving. It was then about four o'clock p. M. We had no money on hand, but I dare not tell him so, or else there would have been a "cyclone" at hand. I asked him where he was stopping.
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He said at the "Planters," and that they would leave the next morn- ing on the 4 A. M. train. I told him I would see him that evening at the hotel. Where the twenty-six hundred dollars was to come from, I did not know. After "bluing" over the situation for a short time, I went to the office of W. J. Hahn, County Treasurer, and asked if he had on hand any "State sinking funds" to be turned over. His reply was that he had. I told him I wanted $2,600, and as our next sale of lots took place the next week, I would turn that amount into the State Treasury at Lincoln and bring back the Treasurer's receipt. He gave me his check for $2,600 on the First National Bank of Omaha, and I started off to get it cashed before closing, but found I was too late. I explained the situation to Mr. Ang. Kountze. He said it was contrary to custom, but he opened the vault and paid me the money, which was carried to Mr. Ward, and delivered in a manner that conveyed the impression that the enterprise should not fail for want of funds. Thus this difficulty was bridged over, and the receipt of the Treasurer was forwarded Mr. Hahn the following week for the money deposited.
The next crisis to be met was more serious, and not so easily passed over. Our last sale of lots was to be in September, 1868. Hoping thereby to realize enough to complete and pay for the building, we had requested Sweet & Broek, bankers at Lincoln, to advance to the contractor money as he needed it, before the sale of lots took place,. and also requested the contractor to put off paying for material until after the sale, hoping that we would not be pressed for funds. But in this we were disappointed. I received a letter from Nelson C. Brock that their bank had advanced $2,000 to the contractor, and call- ing for the return of the same at once; also by the same mail a letter from the contractor saying that he would discharge all the stone-cut- ters and laborers the coming Saturday, and would require $2,000 to pay them off. Unfortunately the other two Commissioners were not at the capital, and this emergency had to be met. I started for Ne- braska City, and called upon James Thorn, County Treasurer, and found he had on hand sinking funds sufficient to meet the emergencies, and willingly offered to turn it over and take the Treasurer's receipt for the same. Thus this last difficulty was bridged over.
In 1871 a constitutional convention met in Lincoln and commenced to investigate County Treasurers, supposing they were loaning State
9
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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF LINCOLN.
funds. Mr. Thorn, with others, was called upon for a report of the collections and deposits. This circumstance was brought to light and he was asked to explain. He referred the explanation to myself. I went before the committee, of which General Victor Vifquain was chairman, and stated the circumstance that a crisis had arrived in the completion of the capitol ; that no funds were on hand, and the "sink- ing fiind" was used for six weeks to help out the "building fund." If such had not been done the capitol building would never have been finished, and Lincoln would not have been here to-day. The com- mittee reported that no censure attached to any one.
After the election of 1868 and the Governor's proclamation had been issued announcing the completion of the capitol, and that the session of the Legislature of January following would convene at Lincoln, Hon. C. B. Taylor, Senator-eleet from Douglas county, asked me if it was true, as set forth in the Governor's message, that the capitol was completed, and if there were any hotel accommodations at Lincoln. Being answered in the affirmative, he said they would "go down and adjourn the Legislature to Omaha, where they could have accommodations." On the first day of January, 1869, I opened the Auditor's office in the new capitol. On the day before convening, the Omaha and other delegations arrived in Lincoln, in a blinding snow storm, by private conveyances. I met Taylor at the Atwood House at dinner. He said he had been looking out to see the new capitol, but had failed to see it. I told him it was on account of the snow storm, but we had a capitol ready. He remarked that I had informed him correctly about the hotel accommodations, and if on presentation the capitol building looked as well, he would have no fault to find. After dinner I piloted him, Tom Majors, and other members, across the prairie to the capitol building. When we entered, the plasterers were finishing up in the lower halls. Taylor reminded me of the Governor's message issued some time previous, saying "the capitol was finished." Majors and others at once expressed their pleasure and surprise at seeing such a building. Taylor, after looking into the Senate Chamber, asked to see the Representative Hall. When he had scen these halls, with their new carpets, new chairs, and bright fur- niture, he was much impressed with the success which the Commis- sioners had achieved, and then and there promised that the Douglas delegation would make no fight on the capitol.
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On organization of the Senate, C. B. Taylor was elected President. Next day he came into my office and drafted a bill appropriating $16,000 to grade and fence the capitol grounds and finish the dome of the capitol. A few days after he drafted a bill to continue the Commissioners for two years longer, to sell the unsold lots and blocks and build the State University, Agricultural College, and Insane Asy- lum. Both bills became laws.
After the meeting of the first Legislature confidence was established, and lots in Lincoln brought better prices at auction. There were no difficulties in the way to build the other institutions. When the next two years had passed the Commissioners reported the university and asylum completed, paid for, and over 300 lots unsold.
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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF LINCOLN.
CHAPTER X.
AN INTERESTING DOCUMENT DEALING WITH CAPITAL REMOVAL-REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS APPOINTED TO SELECT A SITE FOR THE NEW SEAT OF GOVERNMENT.
One of the most interesting documents of the early days is the re- port to the Legislature of 1869 of the Commissioners appointed to locate the State capital. As far as known, there is only one of these reports in existence to-day, it being a document of fifty pages, bearing the imprint of "St. A. D. Balcombe, State Printer, Omaha, Neb.," and also bearing the legend, "Published by Authority." Through the kindness of Hon. John Gillespie the authors of this book are enabled to reproduce those parts of the report that are of especial in- terest, together with a synopsis of the other contents of the pamphlet. The document is as follows:
"REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS TO LOCATE THE SEAT OF GOVERN- MENT OF THE STATE OF NEBRASKA.
" To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Nebraska:
"In pursuance of the requirements of the act of the Legislature entitled, 'An Act to provide for the location of the Seat of Govern- ment of the State of Nebraska, and for the erection of public build- ings thereat,' approved June 14, 1867, the Commissioners thereby appointed assembled at Nebraska City upon Thursday, June 18, 1867, and prepared for a personal examination of the district, viz .: 'The county of Seward, the south half of the counties of Saunders and But- ler, and that portion of the county of Lancaster lying north of the south line of township nine,' within which a selection was to be made for the contemplated seat of the State Government.
" Having provided an outfit, and employing Mr. Aug. F. Harvey as surveyor, to ascertain the lines of the proposed sites, we left Ne- braska City on the afternoon of the 18th day of July, and arrived at Lancaster, in Lancaster county, on the evening of the 19th. The
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LOCATING THE CAPITAL.
20th and 22d were occupied in a full examination of the town sites of Saline City, or ' Yankee Hill,' as it is more familiarly known, and Lancaster, the adjacent lands on both sides of Salt creek, and the stone quarries from two to eight miles south of the village.
On the twenty-third of July the Commissioners went down the valley of Salt creek, examining on the way a very beautiful and level plateau about six miles from Lancaster, and near Stevens creek, on the east side of Salt. Another site on the west side of Salt, on an elevated table near Rock creek, was shown us by parties living in the neighborhood, and who guided us on an examining trip around its lines.
"The 23d was spent in reviewing the townsite proposed on the high land west of and adjacent to the village of Ashland, in the southeast corner of Saunders county. The surface of this site de- clined gently to the north and east, sufficiently for thorough drainage, and is of such evenness that but little expense will ever be involved for grading. From any part of it a widely extended panorama is spread, embracing, as it rises, many square miles in the valley of the Platte and Salt creek. Timber is abundant, and inexhaustible quar- ries of fine rock outerop along the bluffs near the mouth of Salt creek and along the Platte, within one to four and five miles from the town. Salt creek affords excellent water power for manufactur- ing purposes in Ashland. The distance of the site is about thirty- five miles from Plattsmouth, near the efflux of Salt creek to the Platte.
"On the 25th we went northwesterly along the old California trail through Saunders county, covering the Wahoo river near its head, and arriving at nightfall at the residence of J. D. Brown, in Butler county. Upon this route we observed no situation of commanding advantages.
" Leaving Mr. Brown's on the 26th, we looked over the flat prai- rie between the heads of Oak creek and the eastern tributaries of the Blue, in towns thirteen and fourteen north, range three and four east, in Butler county. Here is a wide tract of unbroken plain, upon which we drove for six hours without seeing a depression in the sur- face at either hand. We struck the Blue in town fourteen north, range two east, passing down that stream. After a drive that day, (including some diversions from the direct route to examine points
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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF LINCOLN.
which looked well at a distance,) of over seventy-five miles, we ar- rived at Seward Center, in the fork of Plum creek and the Blue, and opposite the mouth of Lincoln creek. All of the proposed site here could be seen at a glance. It lies on a high table between the streams named, is level, is surrounded by fertile valleys, adjacent to timber, stone, and first-class water power, and is remarkable for healthiness of situation.
"The advantages, indeed, are possessed in an equal degree by Mil- ford, six to eight miles below Seward, and by Camden, in the fork of the Blue and West Blue, except that the last-named site was in a lower elevation. We remained in Milford over night, and on the 27th turned eastward, and arrived at Saline City in the evening.
"On the 29th we made a more thorough examination of 'Yankee Hill' and Lancaster, and their surroundings. At the last-named point the favorable impressions received at first sight, on the 19th, were confirmed. We found it gently undulating, its principal eleva- tion being near the center of the proposed new site, the village already established being in the midst of a thrifty and considerable agricul- tural population, rich timber and water-power available within short distances, the center of the great saline region within two miles; and, in addition to all other claims, the especial advantage was that the location was at the center of a circle of about 110 miles in diameter, along or near the circumference of which are the Kansas State line, directly south, and the important towns of Pawnee City, Nebraska City, Plattsmouth, Omaha, Fremont, and Columbus.
"The State lands which we observed in our tour were mainly away from considerable bodies of timber or important water courses, and did not possess, to all appearances, any particular advantages, nor was the title of them so far vested in the State at that time (the report of the selection of lands by the Governor, under the acts of Congress ad- mitting the State to the Union, not having then been certified or ap- proved at Washington) as to warrant us in making a selection where there was a possibility that the title might fail, or in waiting until, by confirmation at Washington, the title had been secured.
" Under these circumstances we entertained the proposition of the people residing in the vicinity of Lancaster, offering to convey to the State in fee simple the west half of the west half of section 25, the cast half and the southwest quarter of section 26, which, with the north-
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LOCATING THE CAPITAL.
west quarter of section 26, (the last-named quarter being saline land,) all in town 10, range 6 east, the whole embracing 800 acres, and upon which it was proposed to erect the new town. In addition, the Trust- ees of the Lancaster Seminary Association proposed to convey to the State, for an addition to the site named in the foregoing proposition, the town site of Lancaster, reserving certain lots therein, which had been disposed of in whole or in part, to the purchasers thereof, and the owners of said lots reserved agreeing to a resurvey of the town site as an addition to Lincoln, and the acceptance of lots according to the new survey in lieu of those acquired from the Seminary Company and surrendered by them.
"James Sweet, Esq., was appointed conveyancer to the Commis- sioners, and after his report upon the sufficiency of the titles proposed to be made to the State, (which report will be found in the appendix hereto, marked 'A,') and a careful consideration of all the circum- stances of the condition of the State lands, the advantages of the sit- uation, its central position, and the value of its surroundings over a district of over twelve thousand square miles of rich agricultural country, it was determined to accept the proposition made by the own- ers of the land, if upon a ballot the Commissioners should decide upon a location at this point.
"In the afternoon of the 29th of July we assembled in the house of W. T. Donovan, of Lancaster, and after a comparison of notes and the discussion of advantages of the many points examined, pro- ceeded to ballot for a choice.
"On the first ballot Lancaster received two votes and Ashland one. On the second vote Lancaster received the unanimous vote of the Commissioners.
"The Governor then announced the result to the people, many of whom were outside awaiting the decision.
" Having performed the business of the location of the seat of gov- ernment, the Commissioners returned to Omaha, leaving Mr. Harvey at Lancaster to do the surveying necessary to locate the depressions and elevations on the town site, preliminary to his furnishing a design for laying off the blocks, streets, and reservations, and making a plat thereof. He completed that labor on the 12th of August, when he notified the Commissioners, and they again assembled at Lancaster, on the 13th day of August. On the 14th the Commissioners formally
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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF LINCOLN.
announced the founding of the town of Lincoln as the seat of govern- ment of Nebraska, in the following proclamation :
"To WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: Know ye, that on this the 11th day of August, A. D. 1867, by virtue of authority in us vested, and in accordance with an act to provide for the location of the seat of government of the State of Nebraska, and for the erection of public buildings thereat, approved June 14, 1867, we, the under- signed Commissioners, on this the 14th day of August, A. D. 1867, have by actual view selected the following deseribed lands belonging to the State, viz. :
"S. E. } of seetion 23; the W. 3 of the N.W. ], N. W. ] and the W. } of the S. W. 1, of section 25, the W. 3 of section 25, of township No. 10 north, of range No. 6 east of the 6th principal meridian, and have located the seat of government of the State of Nebraska upon said described lands as a town to be known as Lincoh.
"Further, that we have, upon the day above mentioned, designated within said location the reservation for the Capitol Building, State University, and Agricult- ural College, parks, and other reservations contemplated in the aforesaid act, which will be properly designated upon a plat and filed in the office of the Secretary of State.
" Done at Lincoln, Lancaster county, Nebraska, this 14th day of August, A. D. 1867.
DAVID BUTLER, THOMAS P. KENNARD, JOHN GILLESPIE, Commissioners.
"On the following day Messrs. A. F. Harvey and A. B. Smith, en- gineers, with a corps of assistants, who were sworn to perform faith- ful service, commenced the survey of the town. The design is calculated for the making of a beautiful town. The streets are one hundred and one hundred and twenty-five feet wide, and calculated to be improved on all except O and Ninth streets, and the other business streets around the Market Square and Court House Square, with a street park outside of the curb line; as for instance, on the one hundred foot streets, pavements of twelve feet wide and park or double row of trees, with grass plot between, twelve feet wide outside the pavements ; and on the one hundred and twenty-five foot streets the pavement and park to be cach fifteen feet wide. This will leave a roadway of fifty- two feet on the streets one hundred feet wide, and sixty feet wide on the wide streets, while on the business streets a ninety foot roadway will be ample room for all demands of trade.
" Reservations of nearly twelve aeres each were made for the State House, State University, and city Park, these being at about equal distance from each other.
" Reservations of one block cach for a Court House for Lancaster
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county, for a City Hall and market space, for a State Historical Li- brary Association, and several other squares, in proper location, for Public Schools."
The Commissioners have also marked upon the book of record of lots, reservations of three lots each for the following religious denom- inations, viz :
Lots 7, 8, 9, block 65, for the Roman Catholic church.
Lots 10, 11, 12, in block 67, for the Methodist Episcopal church.
Lots 10, 11, 12, in block 87, for the Baptist church.
Lots 10, 11, 12, in block 89, for the Congregational society.
Lots 1, 2, 3, in block 91, for the German Methodist Episcopal church.
Lots 7, 8, 9, in block 97, for the Lutheran congregation.
Lots 10, 11, 12, in block 99, for the Protestant Methodist church.
Lots 16, 17, 18, in block 101, for the Christian church.
Lots 10, 11, 12, in block 119, for the Presbyterian church.
Lots 7, 8, 9, in block 121, for the Protestant Episcopal church.
These reservations were made with the understanding with the par- ties making the selection on behalf of the several denominations, that the Legislature would require of them a condition that the property should only be used for religious purposes, and that sometime would be fixed within which suitable houses of worship, costing some rea- sonable minimum amount, should be erected.
"The Commissioners have also reserved lot 13, in block 101, for the use of the Independent Order of Good Templars; lot 14, in block 101, for the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and lot 15, in block 101, for the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. We respectfully ask the Legislature to confirm our action in respect to all the reser- vations.
"The surveying of the town was done in the most careful manner, and with the utmost patience, and we believe that the lines are so well established that future litigation about 'lapping' of lots will be practi- cally impossible. In every third street running north and south and every fourth or fifth street running east and west, there were set, at the center of intersection with every other street, a stone monument, even with the surface, in the top of which a mark was fixed at the exact point of crossing the lines. The work occupied Messrs. Harvey and Smith, and a double party of assistants, constantly, until the 10th
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day of September, when having staked off every lot in town, except in a few blocks in the northwest part of the northwest quarter upon the .Saline land,' the work was completed.
" In anticipation of the completion of the survey, and to insure parties purchasing lots in time to build upon them for winter, and an carly provision of the means of commencing work upon the State House, the Commissioners, upon the 17th day of August, issued their advertisement for the first sale of lots, to be held on the 17th day of September.
"This advertisement was authorized to be printed in such newspa- per as could give it the widest circulation. Upon the day of sale the weather, which had been excessively disagreeable for nearly a week, culminated in a cold, drizzly rain, in consequence of which not more than one hundred persons were present, and but few of these the bid- ders we had expected. The aspect of affairs was disheartening. Per- sons who had loudly boasted of their great expectations in buying lots and building houses ; others who had been lavish in prophecies of the unparalleled success of the enterprise ; others who had been free with advice to us in regard to appraisements and sales-these, and still others, who were certainly expected to be on the ground and foremost in purchasing, had given us the cold shoulder, and were not present or within hearing. Indeed, your Commissioners almost felt that fail- ure was after all to be the result.
" However, the first lot was put up, and after some delay in getting a bidder, it was sold to J. G. Miller, Esq., for an advance of twenty- five cents on the appraisement of $40.
"This small beginning was an index to the proceedings for the day, and when the evening closed, the sales footing up to about one-tenth of our expectations, our spirits or onr hopes were in nowise improved.
""The second and third days gave a better result, and on the fourth and fifth, sunshine having come again, bringing more persons to the sales, and getting every one to feeling well, the bidding became en- couraging, and the summing up of the five days' offering was nearly if not quite satisfactory.
" The sales here at this time amounted to about $34,000.
"The offering of lots was continued at Nebraska City from the 23d to the 27th of September, inclusive, and in Omaha on the 30th of September to the 4th of October.
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