USA > Nebraska > Lancaster County > Lincoln > Lincoln, the capital city and Lancaster County, Nebraska, Volume I > Part 6
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44
Election of November 5. 1901-For treasurer, B. F. Knight 4.457, William Mclaughlin 3,733, C. E. Hedges 216. For county clerk, D. A. Frye 5,231, J. T. Wiesman 2,812, Ebenezer Brown 270. For sheriff. Z. S. Branson 5,461, A. Wan- mer 2,360, J. H. Ayres 260. For county judge, F. R. Waters 5,211, R. H. Hagelin 2,777. C. Fordyce 352. For register of deeds, J. D. Moore 4,043, J. J. Anderson 4,006, T. Mccullough 223. For commissioner, A. D. Borgelt 1,519, Joseph Wittman 780, F. Thompson 44. For county superintendent, W. A. Hawes 5,253, A. J. Roberts 2,818, E. D. Harris, Sr., 250. For surveyor, W. S. Scott 5,896. For coroner, F. A. Graham 5,023, E. A. Carr 2,843, T. J. Merriman 356. The total number of votes cast was 8,558.
Election of November 4, 1902-For governor, John H. Mickey received 5.537 votes, W. H. Thompson 3.575, Sam T. Davis 185, George E. Bigelow 68. For senator twentieth district, Richard O'Neill 5.582, P. F. Beghtol 5,433, H. E. Dawes 3,ISI, W. M. Maupin 3,158, Charle Fordyce 316, T. M. Hodgman 306, C. M. Bailey 68, A. L. A. Schiermeyer 56. For representatives thirtieth dis- trict, J. H. Mockett, Jr., 5,616, John H. McClay 5.511, H. C. M. Burgess 5,531, C. J. Warner 5,565, J. G. Halliett 5,447. C. Ballenger 3,155. H. J. Becker 3,138, S. R. Hall 3,178, A. Meese 3.173, M. Schwind 3,152, S. L. Wright 291, J. R. Ayres 279, J. C. De Putron 302, D. A. Latture 254, A. E. Bowers, 265 ; R. A. Hawley 75, J. H. Loper 62, F. Fritsche 54, J. F. Sutler 52. For attorney, J. L.
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Caldwell 5.591, W. B. Price 3,151, Neal Stewart 318. For commissioner, S. Tilton 1401, R. L. Newton 1,521, H. H. Hurd 29. There were 9,492 votes cast at this election.
Election of November 3, 1903-The number of votes cast was 8.306. For district judges, Lincoln Frost 6,103, E. P. Holmes 6,043, A. J. Cornisli 6,027. For clerk of the district court, William C. Phillips 5,358, Jacob B. Meyer 2,363, Clarence Hedges 375. For county treasurer, Benjamin F. Knight 4,957, William Foster 2,812, J. H. Elmore 340. For county clerk, Walter L. Dawson 5,382, Leon C. Crandall 2,394, I. N. Clark 341. For sheriff, Nicholas Ress 5,522, John P. Higgins 2,220, E. Harris, Jr., 365. For county judge, Frank R. Waters 5,430, Milton Schwind 2443. For county assessor, J. R. Miller 5,254, Joseph McGraw 2.460, Stanley Howard 347. For commissioner, Fred Kinyon 5,192, George W. Stabler 2.594, Cyrus Cushman 366. For county superintendent, O. R. Bowman 5,336, E. F. Monroe 2,336. Mary B. Russell 376. For surveyor, W. S. Scott 5.538, B. A. Newton 2,324. For coroner, F. A. Graham 5.315, James D. Case 2,324, W. N. Ramey 413.
Election of November 8, 1904, at which 11,832 votes were polled. For governor. John H. Mickey received 6,536 votes, George W. Berge 4,601, C. F. Swander 351, B. H. Vail 85. For senators, P. F. Beghtol 6,820, J. H. Mockett, Jr. 6,840, John E. Miller 3.985, T. O. Jones 662, F. W. Emerson 520, Bert Wilson 470, A. L. A. Schiermeyer 109. For representatives, C. J. Warner 7,225, John H. McClay 7,189. H. C. M. Burgess 7,166, Joseph Burns 6,861, J. G. Halliett 7,085, W. M. Morning 4.094, Hugh Lomax 694, H. Wittstruck 659, M. Clark 661. N. Wilson 659 F. E. Linch 592. For commissioner, D. W. Mosely 7,683, J. H. Elmore 1,384. For attorney, J. L. Caldwell 7,653, A. G. Wolfenbarger 1,452.
Election of November 7, 1905-There were only 6,880 votes cast at this time. For treasurer, Dennis C. Berry 4.343, G. H. Ruhaak 1,883, A. L. Johnson 485. For clerk. Walter L. Dawson 4,329, Jacob B. Meyer 1,865, C. N. Porter 463. For sheriff, N. Ress 4,275, C. M. Branson 1,932, L. M. Russell 466. For county judge, Frank R. Waters 3,518, John J. Ledwith 2,739, David M. Sayles 436. For register of deeds, Jesse D. Moore 3.728, Sam Hinkle 2,543, M. H. Wittstruck 451. For commissioner, Robert Pickel 4,433, B. F. Chambers 996. For county superin- tendent, O. R. Bowman 4,395, William Whelan 1,954. For surveyor, W. S. Scott 4,605, W. M. Reeves 848. For coroner, F. A. Graham 3,418, R. L. Bentley 2,785, W. N. Ramey 449.
Election of November 6, 1906-Number of votes, 9,685. For governor, George L. Sheldon 5.754, A. C. Schallenberger 3,240, H. T. Sutton 479, Elisha Taylor 71. For senators, Joseph Burns 4,871, J. C. F. Mckesson 4,982, A. S. Tibbetts 3,860, A. E. Sutherland 3,625, Charles E. Coffin 610. For representa- tives, William J. Blystone 5,440, E. W. Brown 5,401, E. P. Brown 5.381, Frank Rejcha 5.301, L. S. Gilman, 5,380, C. Y. Long 3,227, G. F. Quick 3.488, H. W. Smith 3,490, S. R. Hall 3,202, D. Coggin 3,034, F. E. Linch 625, M. Doubt 568, E. Harris 550, William F. Hunt 575. For commissioner, F. C. Kinyon 5,440, August Schroer 3,498. For attorney, F. M. Tyrrell 4,715, Fred Shepherd 4,125. For police judge, P. James Cosgrave 3.655.
Election of November 5, 1907-Votes polled, 7.759. For district judges, Willard E. Stewart 4,335, Lincoln Frost 5,192, A. J. Cornish 5,099, A. J. Sawyer 3.485. For clerk of district court, J. S. Baer 4,638, Charles M. Branson 2,719.
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For treasurer, Dennis C. Berry 5,550. For county clerk, Walter L. Dawson 5,476. For sheriff, Henry V. Hoagland 4,275, Robert Malone 3,128. For county judge, P. James Cosgrave 5,648. For assessor, D. R. C. Miller 5.372. For commis- sioner, John R. Bennett 5,399. For county superintendent, O. R. Bowman 5,445. For surveyor, W. S. Scott 5,510. For coroner, V. A. Matthews 4,848, E. L. Troyer 2.395. For police judge, George H. Risser 2.762.
Election of November 3. 1908-Votes polled, 16,646. For governor, George L. Sheldon 8.682, A. C. Shallenberger 7,340, Roy R. Teeter 316, C. H. Harbaugh 79. For senators, Edward P. Brown 8,572, S. W. Burnham 7,287, R. T. Chambers 6,892, John E. Miller 8,654. For representatives, Cyrus Black 8,488, W. J. Blystone 8,462, Elmer W. Brown 8,519, Leonard C. Foss 7,377, William Green 7.282, C. E. Groves 8.160, Fred B. Humphrey 8,661, Charles T. Knapp 7,596, WV. C. Norton 7,449. L. A. Simmons 7,395; King W. Gillespie 652. For commis- sioner, Robert Pickel 7, 161, John Flynn 8.585. For attorney, F. M. Tyrrell 9, 190.
Election of November 2, 1909-Votes cast, 8.765. For county clerk, Charles A. Kinnamon 3,565. Harry E. Wells 4,710, J. C. Mckenzie 105. For treasurer, William MeLaughlin 4,310, Fred Beckman 4,065, Charles S. Wells, Sr., 101. For register of deeds. John T. Wiesman 3,232, W. M. Clinton 5,030, J. A. Town- send 109. For county judge. l'. James Cosgrave 5,675. For sheriff, Louis P. Faulhaber 3,286, Henry V. Hoagland 4,975, L. A. Jenkins 120. For county super- intendent, E. C. Kemble 3.598, George F. Burkett 4,560, Florence J. Schuler 137. For surveyor, W. S. Scott 5,910. For coroner. J. A. Hodam 3,004, V. A. Mat- thews 5,261. For commissioner, William Rooney 3,249, Carl O. Johnson 4.943. C. R. Oyler 100. For police judge. R. H. Hagelin 1,203, George H. Risser 2,579, Minor S. Bacon 513.
Election of November 8, 1910-There were 13.974 votes polled at this time. For governor, Chester H. Aldrich 7.677, James C. Dahlman 5,597, Clyde J. Wright 414. For senators Twentieth District, Edward P. Brown 7,207. William A. Selleck 6,634, R. Chambers 4,506, Albert Watkins 5,265, J. W. Jonas 542, T. C. Mckenzie 480. For representatives, Cyrus Black 5,104, A. J. Minor 6,774, John H. Mockett, Jr., 7,153, S. R. MeKelvie 6,872, Earl O. Eager 6,187, J. H. Allen 3,863, Frank Mills 3,860, Ira FI. Hatfield 6,145, John E. Miller 5,977, W. F. Dale 3,397, J. C. McElwain 404, E. L. MeMullen 406, C. A. Rankin 483, Henry Veith 2,567, Abram S. Toops 2,161. For commissioner, J. R. Bennett 7,541, Wil- son E. Field 4.566. For attorney, J. B. Strode 6,737, O. W. Meier 5,493. For county superintendent (to fill vacancy ). O. H. Morris 6,407, E. C. Kemble 5,547.
Election of November 7. 1911-Votes cast, 10,370. For district judges of Third Judicial District, W. E. Stewart, 6,327, A. J. Cornish 6,265, P. James Cos- grave 5,853, Sterling F. Mutz 2,333, Raymond J. Abbott 2,769, Frederick Shep- herd 4,276, S. C. Hale 407, Frank Wright 439. For clerk of District Court, J. S. Baer 6,360, Charles G. Adams 3,246. For treasurer, Phillip A. Sommerlad 5,228, William McCormick 4,420, W. J. Eyestone 331. For county clerk, Harry E. Wells 6,231, E. A. Vanderlip 3,158, H. E. Phillips 481. For sheriff, Gus A. Hyers 5,425, L. A. Simmons 4, 143, Charles D. Lamme 375, H. B. Parker 2. For county judge, George H. Risser 5,921, Henry A. Meier 3,712, Charles S. Wells, Sr., 404. For commissioner, Clinton J. Mitchell 4,794, John Flynn 4,481, Paul Goss 270, S. T. Hay 413. For county superintendent, W. H. Gardner 6,021, Mary E. Larsh 3,090, A. E. Wagner 314, Luella Wright 461. For surveyor, W. S.
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Scott 5,689, D. P. Weeks 3,559, H. C. Swallow 459. For coroner, V. A. Matthews 5.600, E. L. Troyer 3.361, Henry B. Brown 660, Charles Lee 335. For police judge, Bruce Fullerton 3,533, Charles H. Adams 1,390, C. R. Oyler 302.
Election of November 5, 1912-Votes cast, 14,356. For governor, Chester H. Aldrich 6.256, John JJ. Morehead 7.111, Clyde J. Wright 467, Nathan Wilson 241. For senators Twentieth District. Henry V. Hoagland 7,015, John T. Mar- shall 6,951, Otto W. Meier 6, 158, Charles S. Roe 5,829, J. R. Burleigh 500, T. J. Merriman 326, Rufus M. Pierce 301. For representatives Thirtieth District, A. W. Richardson 6,952; G. R. Buckner 6,815, Edwin Jeary 7,026, John H. Mockett, Jr., 6,938, Charles C. Quiggle 6,844, H. K. Burkett 6,926, William Foster 6,268, Edgar F. Snavely 6,061, Charles W. Enyeart 5,878, George F. Quick 5,864, A. P. Ferguson 5.947, Frank Mills 5.782, J. H. Loper 403, George A. Spangler 317, A. H. Parmenter 312, E. D. Harris, Jr., 282, George I. Wright 304. A. M. White- horn 261. For commissioner, Carl O. Johnson 6,894, George C. Curyea 6,209, N. P. Jensen 368. For attorney, J. B. Strode 7.206, R. C. Abbott 5,813, H. C. Bittenbender 403. For assessor. James A. Sheffield 6,884, E. B. Zimmerman 5.977, O. S. Stone 362.
Election of November 3, 1914-There were 13,145 votes cast at this election. For governor, John H. Morehead 6,275, H. E. Sackett 533, R. B. Howell 5,776, George C. Porter 256, Nathan Wilson 167. For county poor house 5,797, against 2.312. For senator of Thirteenth District, Robert Malone 4,643, O. W. Meier 4.948, N. P. Hansen 1,533, L. E. Gruver 851, Henry V. Hoagland 6,130, John T. Marshall 5.195, O. W. Lake 398, E. D. Harris, Jr., 310. For representatives Thirtieth District, William Foster 5,543, B. W. Leavitt 5,001, Paul Goss 4,749, R. A. Bickford 4.904. J. Frank Mills 4,499, N. O. Reynolds 4,444, Lester C. Syford 926, J. L. Walter 694, J. A. Dumbolton 688, J. L. Kennard 995, Dan Munn 742, L. B. Fuller 851, Edwin Jeary 6,115, A. H. Hulton 5,605, C. Petrus Peterson 5,823, John H. Mockett, Jr., 6,272, R. S. Mosely 5,497, Earl Eager 5,342, Harry Streeter 445, H. C. Swanson 418. For county clerk, A. E. Suther- land 5,800, Logan A. Rogers 655, Harry E. Wells 5,950. For treasurer, E. B. Zimmerman 4,911, Phillip A. Sommerlad 6,698, Louis Helmer 458. For sheriff, T. J. Smith 4,570. D. W. Jacoby 975, Gus A. Hyers 6,765, C. R. Oyler 271. For register of deeds, Alanson Chapman 5,585. Thomas E. Wheeler 6,520. For regis- ter of deeds (to fill vacancy), C. W. Holmes 8,060. For attorney, Howard J. Whitmore 5.128, George A. Adams 1,273, G. E. Hager 5,914. For county superintendent, E. C. Kemble 4,896, Minnie P. Knotts 1,534, W. H. Gardner 5.688. For commissioner, Second District, Harry H. Leavitt 5,272, James A. Curtis 711, John R. Bennett 5,931. For commissioner, Third District, John Flynn 4,858, Clinton J. Mitchell 6.135. For surveyor, Arthur H. Edgren 10.583, W. S. Scott 15. For coroner, E. L. Troyer 5,131, V. A. Matthews 6,903. For police judge, O. W. Miller 2,674, Bruce Fullerton 4,218. For county judge, George H. Risser 8.692.
THE COURTHOUSE
The old Cottonwood Building at Lancaster known as the courthouse, was bought from Dora Hardenberg by S. P. Benadom for $Soo. He used the building, which was thirty-three feet square, two stories, as a residence for a number of
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years. The county offices were, during the first years of the county's existence, located in various places ; in residences, in office rooms wherever a vacant place could be found. In the record of the commissioners' meeting in this chapter, under the date of August 3, 1869, the county officers are shown to have been assigned rooms in the Sweet & Brock Building. In September, 1871, a large number of the citizens of the county petitioned for the issuing of bonds for the erection of a courthouse and jail, the bonds to be for the sum of $50,000. A special election was ordered for October 10th of the same year, provided that the new constitution of Nebraska should be ratified and adopted on September 19, 1871, and then the election should be held on November 7th. A special election was also ordered for November 7th on the question of conveying by deed certain blocks in the old Lancaster townsite for the courthouse square in Lincoln. This was voted on favorably by the people. In August, 1880. the commissioners ordered that at the first election in November a vote should be taken on the proposition to bond the county for $25,000 in order to construct a courthouse in Lincoln. No further record of this can be found. In October, 1882, the commis- sioners ordered an election in November on placing a 5-mill levy, in addition to previous levies, on the county for five years in order to make up the sum of $125,000 which was to be used for the construction of the courthouse.
Again, on October 2, 1885, the commissioners ordered that the proposition of bonding the county for $125,000 for the courthouse erection be submitted to the vote of the people at the general election of November 3, 1885. On April 23, 1887, almost two years later, the commissioners once more ordered an election for May 3Ist of the same year to decide whether or not to issue bonds for $200.000 for the courthouse. On June 3d it was reported that 3,028 votes had been cast at the above clection, of which 2,416 were in favor of the proposition and 612 were against it. Accordingly, O. C. Bell, the county clerk, notified the architects that plans and specifications for the courthouse would be received by him until noon on Tuesday, July 5, 1887. The board decided that, in the interests of the county, they should make an extended tour through other states, inspecting various courthouses and deciding on the best style for the particular needs of Lancaster County. They visited the states of Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Iowa and Ohio. On July 27, 1887, the firm of E. E. Myers & Son, of Detroit, Mich., was an- nounced as the successful bidder among the architects. On November 15, 1887, the bids for the construction of the building were opened and all were flatly rejected as they exceeded the amount appropriated for the purpose. On January 13, 1888, new bids were opened and again all were rejected. Also, the plans made by E. E. Myers & Son suffered the same fate, as it seemed none of the con- tractors could bring their price down to the appropriated amount and at the same time abide by the plans the architects had supplied. The Myers firm threatened litigation, but on the 19th notice was given to other firms for presentation of plans. On February 21, 1888, the plans which had been submitted were opened and on March Ist the work of F. M. Ellis, of Omaha, was approved and accepted. On May 17, 1888, bids for construction were received and examined and that of W. H. B. Stout, of Lincoln, which named the sum of $167.497.42, was accepted.
The cornerstone of the courthouse was laid on Thursday, November 1, 1888. A light rain in the morning preceded a day of sunshine, but notwithstanding
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there was a very small attendance. At 2 o'clock a parade was started from the Masonic Temple. The marchers consisted of Dalby's K. P. Band, Canton Ford No. 2. 1. O. O. F., the Masonic Lodge, and carriages containing prominent Lin- coln citizens. The parade followed this route : south on Eleventh to K, then west one block to courthouse square. A broad stairway led to the floor which had been laid on the northeast corner of the building and here people found seats. The exercises were in charge of Grand Master George B. France, of the grand lodge of Nebraska Masons. A prayer was offered by Grand Chaplain Hood. The placing of the box was in charge of Grand Treasurer Chris Hartman. The fol- lowing articles were placed in the box: history of Lancaster County by O. C. Bell, history of county bonds by J. H. McClay and O. C. Bell, trial docket, Oc- tober term, 1871, and May term, 1888, by E. R. Sizer, course of studies, pros- pectus and blanks from Superintendent Mccluskey, political manual of platforms. catalog of Lincoln Business College, revised list map of Lincoln, English coin of 1764, three arrow points presented by Alba Brown, large number of personal cards, coin of 1888 presented by H. H. Schaberg, minutes of seventh annual meeting of Nebraska State Pharmaceutical Association, copies of State Journal, Lincoln Evening News, Freie Presse, Staats-Anzeiger and Daily Call. Advance sheets from Lincoln city directory for 1888-89 by Cherrier Publishing Company and State Journal Company. The stone was set, the box sealed, placed in cavity, covered with cement, then capped by a second stone. This was put in place by Architect F. M. Ellis, assisted by the superintendent of the building. The grand officer tested the stone, poured out the grain, wine and oil upon it, then H. H. Wilson, grand orator, was called upon for an address. Next came a musical selection, followed by an address by O. P. Mason.
The dimensions of the courthouse are 150 feet north and south and 100 feet east and west. The building is constructed with a high basement and three full stories, fireproof. The rock-faced sandstone outside is from Berea, Ohio. The inside walls are built of hard brick, wood being used only in doors, windows and furniture. Tile floors are used. The girders are of steel and arched between with brick. The roof is of slate, supported by steel rafters, and all the roof orna- ments are of iron and copper.
CHAPTER IV IMPORTANT PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
THE FIRST BOARD
Although the first board of county commissioners, consisting of A. J. Walling- ford, J. J. Forest and W. T. Donovan, was elected at the first general election in Lancaster County on October 10, 1859, no official record of their proceedings is available until that given under the date of May 1, 1862, the same being an ad- journed meeting of the board. The brief and rather imperfect record gives the information that on this date the county was divided into two election precincts, by a line running east and west through the center of town 10; also a petition for a road from the southeast corner of section 31, town 9, range 7, and another from the southeast corner of section 36, town 9, range 6, and one from the south- east corner of section 16, town 12, range 6, were received. The one who penned the record had little knowledge of the proper form of transcribing such a record, or else regarded the matter indifferently, for there is not a word stating the direc- tion these roads were to run or to what point they were to be surveyed; the county clerk at that time, J. P. Loder, also thought it unnecessary to affix his signature to the document. The board adjourned until July ist, but in all prob- ability did not meet again until after the October election.
EARLY MEETINGS
The next record is of a meeting of the board of county commissioners on November 3, 1862. Then the commissioners ordered a special election to be held January 17, 1863, to fill vacancies in the office of county coroner, county surveyor, and justices of the peace and constables. The vacancies occurred because the candidates elected had not been able to qualify according to law. The next meet- ing was held February 5, 1863, and the officers who were elected at the above special election were sworn in. The commissioners also instructed the county clerk to notify Judge Festus Reed to cease his depredations on the timber in the school section in town 9. range 6. What the judge's depredations consisted of is not detailed in the minutes. Another meeting was held on September 12th of the same year and the county was divided into four precincts, the same to be called Lancaster, Salt Basin, Stevens Creek and Salt Creek. The various places for holding elections in these precincts were also designated.
The county commissioners of Lancaster and Gage counties held a meeting at the house of H. W. Parker of Clay County, near Olathe, on July 19, 1864, and
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made a final settlement of the affairs of the county. The document setting forth the terms of this settlement was signed by Fordice Roper, F. H. Dobbs and William Tyler, commissioners of Clay County, and John W. Prey of Lancaster, and attested by Oliver Townsend, clerk of Gage County, and duly filed. Copies of the official records of Clay County were made for Gage and Lancaster counties, but the latter were lost in Salt Creek while being carried by one William Mills. The account of this unfortunate happening is given in another paragraph of this chapter.
On November 2, 1864, the commissioners met at the office of the clerk for the purpose of examining and approving the bonds of the county officers. There were present : William Shirley, P. S. Shamp and John S. Gregory, commissioners ; Jolın P. Loder, clerk; M. Langdon, deputy. They approved the bonds of the following officers: Milton Langdon, county clerk and register; Richard Walling- ford, treasurer; Job D. Main, probate judge; Josiah Chambers, sheriff ; Dr. John Crim, coroner; Thomas Mozi, constable; W. W. Cox and William Peterman, justices ; James R. Dye, assessor of Salt Basin Precinct ; P. S. Shamp, assessor of Lancaster Precinct.
At the meeting of January 25, 1864, the report of George Fleischer, a com- missioner appointed to survey a road, was received and ordered to be recorded. The county clerk was instructed to prepare assessment rolls for the county pre- cincts ; also ordered that Jacob Dawson be appointed to the office of prosecuting attorney of Lancaster County. At the meeting of March 26th, same year, it is recorded that "assessment rolls were prepared for the different precincts with such lists of lands as could be made with the means at hand, having failed to get the list from the land office from want of county credit."
The following paragraphs will give the most important transactions of the board of county commissioners from this time until January, 1916:
April 4, 1864-The board received the petition of Jacob Dawson and others for the appointment of a commissioner to view and locate a road commencing at the mouth of Stevens Creek and running up said creek; John Wettencamp was chosen as the commissioner. Jacob Dawson and others also petitioned for a road commencing at the terminus of the steam wagon road and running thence west- ward; D. Main was appointed the commissioner to locate this highway. A road was ordered commencing at section 26, town 10, range 6, running thence up Salt Creek ; J. J. Forest was made commissioner for this one. The petition of J. D. Main and others for a road commencing on the east side of the county, running west by way of the salt basin to the west line of the county was granted and Jacob Dawson appointed commissioner.
May 10, 1864-The proclamation of the governor was received concerning the election of delegates to a constitutional convention. John S. Gregory was called to testify relative to acts passed by the last Legislature in regard to rep- resentative districts. He said that Lancaster County had one representative and that Lancaster, Clay, Seward and Saunders counties had one. The election for said delegate was ordered to be held on June 6th. The commissioners at this meeting proceeded to divide the county into election precincts as follows: Lan- caster Precinct consisted of towns 10, 11 and 12, of ranges 5 and 6; Stevens Creek Precinct consisted of towns 10, 11 and 12, of ranges 7 and 8; Salt Creek
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Precinct consisted of town 9, of ranges 5, 6, 7 and 8; Saltillo Precinct consisted of towns 7 and 8, of ranges 5, 6, 7 and 8.
May 28, 1864-The commissioners pursuant to special call for the purpose of considering the law relative to the election of county officers and locating the county seat, approved February 13, 1864; also for the districting of the county for the commissioners. There were present : William Shirley, P. S. Shamp and John Crim, commissioners. The county was districted as follows: Number One consisted of towns 9, 10, 11 and 12, of ranges 5 and 6; Number Two consisted of towns 9, 10, II and 12, of ranges 7 and 8; Number Three consisted of towns 7 and 8, of ranges 5, 6, 7 and 8. It was ordered that the election of county officers and for the county seat be held on the first Monday of June, 1864.
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