USA > Nebraska > Platte County > Past and present of Platte County, Nebraska : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 20
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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
207
PAST AND PRESENT OF PLATTE COUNTY
work as village matron, instructing the native women in the practical arts-sewing, baking, washing-and leading them in the ways of economy, cleanliness and right living. After resigning from the Indian work she resided at Columbus, Neb., also at Genoa, and subse- quently in California, at National City, and in San Francisco. In 1897 she returned with her husband to Pennsylvania, where she spent the remaining three years of her life. She studied medicine in Phila- delphia, but did not make it her profession. A brother of Mrs. Burgess, Dr. Joseph S. Longshore, of Philadelphia, was one of the founders of the first woman's medical college of this country and was also an active worker in the temperance and anti-slavery move- ments. Among the noted and estimable women of that period, as her friendly associates, were Lucretia Mott, Susan B. Anthony, Anna Dickinson, and others. Thomas Elwood Longshore. author of The Higher Criticism, was another brother, whose wife was Hannah E. Longshore, M. D., a prominent physician of Philadelphia. Mrs. Lucretia M. Blankenburg, president of the Pennsylvania Woman's Suffrage Association, is a niece. Mrs. Burgess was a woman of plain tastes and most careful habits. Naturally gifted with oratory, she was wont to speak in her later years at the Friends' meetings. The cardinal principle of her life was to do right. Revered by young per- sons, she in return cherished for them a romantic sentiment which lasted throughout her life. In her public utterances, her appeals to them, by stern though kindly admonitions to improve their minds and to lead useful lives, would touch their consciences with almost hypnotic power. She did not age in the ordinary sense. Her faculties remained keen and wondrously forceful to the very last. With hus- band and eldest son enlisted in the Civil war, Mrs. Burgess found herself face to face with conditions which called forth all her strength and heroism. Soon following this darkened period of trials she was called upon to aid in the enlightenment of the leading Indian tribe of Nebraska. She regarded them as a family of children. All fear and prejudice were eliminated from her plan of regeneration. The example of her own sterling character made a lasting impression on this primitive, semi-barbarous people. In taking charge of the Genoa school, in 1873, she brought to bear the lofty principles of justice and morality. Things at the school were found in a rather stagnant con- dition. The appointment of Mrs. Burgess as superintendent was deemed advisable by influential members of the Friends. She insti- tuted immediate reforms in all departments, and put in operation a rather aggressive policy of cleanliness and discipline. In the little
208
PAST AND PRESENT OF PLATTE COUNTY
community comprising the agency forces there was discovered an undercurrent of hostility and even treacherous proceedings. 'This condition she met with coolness and courage. She triumphed over all obstacles and won the approbation of the controlling influences among Friends, under whose auspices she was acting. The manual labor school became prosperous and harmony prevailed. She taught the Indians to show consideration for their women and to be modest in their personal appearance and manners. Chiefs were requested not to come into her presence without shirts and covering for their bodies, with which terms they would cheerfully comply. Men would be induced to bear burdens for their wives and daughters, to please their "teacher-mother." Pedagogical instruction and moral training were the basic principles inaugurated at this Pawnee school at Genoa, in those early days. in the wilds of the Loup Valley. In her broad experience, from having been at home equally upon the Atlantic's or Pacific's shores, associating with the leaders of thought and reform, or attending the savage sick in the wigwams of the western wilds, she learned to look upon the sufferings of humanity as due to social evils-ignorance, greed and selfishness-all in perversion of the Divine plan; and she pronounced the taking of human life as legal punish- ment wrong in the sight of God and as but a showing of our own gilded barbarity. She saw in the Indian a creature of God's with a mind keenly susceptible of cultivation and a soul to save. She mingled with them freely, without fear or prejudice, and the Indians were wont to revere her as one divinely gifted, sent among them to lead them on the straight and peaceful way. Chiefs and warriors of the highest rank addressed her as "A-tira" (the Pawnee for mother) .
Thanks to the potent influence of such lives, the theory of killing Indians to render them "good" no longer finds advocates. The old Pawnee reservation has become one of the prosperous counties of Nebraska, named in honor of Governor Nanee. The old school build- ing stands on its original site, enlarged and improved, and the benefi- cent educational work so vigorously promoted under the administra- tion of Mrs. Burgess still goes on; and associated with this old historie spot is the memory of a noble woman whom warrior, medicine man and chief deigned to eall "our mother."
CHAPTER XV
SCOUT, INDIAN FIGHTER AND PIONEER CITIZEN
Frank J. North was one of the pioneers and celebrities of Colum- bus. He was a son of Thomas J. North, a general merchant, who moved with his family from New York to Richland County, Ohio. In 1856 Mr. North moved to Omaha, Neb., and engaged as a sur- veyor under contract of the Government, and on March 12, 1857. while so engaged, he was caught in a terrific storm at Papillion River and perished. At this time Frank was seventeen years of age and was left with his mother to superintend the extensive business in which his father was engaged. He had charge of forty men, who elcared a large tract of timber land, on which the City of Omaha now stands. In 1857 he moved to Florence, just above Omaha, where he resided during the winter of 1857-8. In the following summer he came to Columbus, where he began to break prairie with teams which he had brought with him. In the fall of 1858 he joined a trapping party who established a camp 125 miles west of Columbus and remained there until the spring of 1859, returning to Columbus and farming during the summer, after which he began freighting from Omaha to Cottonwood Springs. In the spring of 1860 he went to Denver, but shortly returned to Columbus and continued freighting for sometime. Finally he went to the Pawnee reservation to work for the agent there. Having previously become proficient in the Pawnee language, Mr. North soon secured a good position at the agency as clerk, in which position he remained until August, 1864, when he began the organization of a company of Pawnee scouts to be enrolled for ninety days, under Gen. Samuel Curtis. North served as first lieutenant. Before bidding adieu to Lieutenant North and his scouts, General Curtis, without solicitation, promised Lieutenant North a captain's commission, which he received October 15, 1864. He immediately re- cruited with a full quota of Indian Pawnee scouts, which he led to Julesburg and joined General Connor, going out on the Powder River campaign. Besides a great deal of scouting during the season, this
209
1
210
PAST AND PRESENT OF PLATTE COUNTY
company killed more than two hundred Indians without loss of a man from the scouts, who attributed this wonderful eseape to the Great Spirit. In 1865 Captain North was at Camp Genoa, twenty-two miles west of Columbus, remaining there until the spring of 1866, when all volunteers were mustered out of service. Returning to Columbus, he was appointed, in the fall of 1866, post trader for the Pawnee ageney, where he remained until the spring of 1867. In March of that year he again entered the service as major of a battal- ion, organizing it and appointing its offieers. These troops served along the Union Pacifie line until 1871, when they were mustered out. In the summer of that year North was made post guide and interpreter for Camp Munson; in 1872 he was transferred to Sidney Barraeks, where he remained until August 5, 1876, when he was called to Chieago to report to General Sheridan and ordered to proceed to the Indian Territory and enlist 100 Pawnee Indians as scouts for service in the department of the Platte. This was done and he brought his Pawnee scouts by rail to Sidney barracks, where they were equipped for service. They were ordered to Red Cloud ageney. They then went with General Crook and served during the entire eampaign of 1876 and 1877, returning to Sidney Barraeks, where they remained until May 1st. They were there disbanded and then went to the Indian Territory. Soon thereafter Major North went to Omaha and formed a co-partnership with William F. Cody (Buffalo Bill), under the firm name of Cody & North, and embarked in the stock business, having accumulated 4,500 head of cattle which grazed on five ranches, embraeing an area of country 25 miles in breadth by 30 in length, situated in the Dismal River seetion, sixty-five miles north of North Platte City, in Western Nebraska. On Deeem- ber 25, 1865, Major North married Miss Mary L. Smith, in Colum- bus, who was born in Hartford County, Conn., June 3, 1843. They had one daughter, Stella G.
The company of Pawnee scouts previously referred to and com- manded by Capt. Frank J. North, was first organized in 1864, under the authority of Gen. Samuel R. Curtis, who detailed North and Joseph MeFadden to reeruit the Indians. MeFadden had seen serviee in the United States army and was with General Harney in the Ash Hollow fight of 1856, and had also served as interpreter. Seventy- seven Pawnees were quickly enlisted and MeFadden was chosen captain and North first lieutenant. The Pawnees furnished their own horses and their native costumes. They were promised the same pay as the cavalrymen, but never received any compensation for their
211
PAST AND PRESENT OF PLATTE COUNTY
services in the campaign. The Pawnees under the leadership of McFadden proved a disappointment. He had forfeited the confi- dence and respect of the Indians by marrying a squaw and adopting the dress and mode of life of the tribe and it was not long before the temporary organization of Pawnee scouts was disbanded. Lieuten- ant North was then instructed by General Curtis to enlist a regular company of Pawnees for scouting duty, with equipment, including uniform, like other cavalry soldiers. Thereupon, under a captain's recruiting order, North returned to the Pawnee Indian reservation, and after a great deal of difficulty succeeded in recruiting a full com- pany of 100 men, who were mustered into the United States service, January 13, 1865, as Company A, Pawnee Scouts, with Frank J. North as captain, Charles A. Small as first lieutenant, and James Murie as second lieutenant, the commissions of the officers having been issued by Gov. Alvin Saunders, of Nebraska, on October 24, 1864. This company was credited to Platte County as so many volunteers furnished for the Union service. It was mustered out at the Pawnee agency in April, 1866. On March 1, 1869, Major North again organized three companies of the Pawnees, fifty men in each company, with his brother, Luther North, as captain of one com- pany, and Captains Cushing and Morse commanding the other two, with Becher, Mathews and Kislandberry as lieutenants. With his command Major North joined General Carr at Fort McPherson for an expedition against the Sioux, under Tall Bull, in the Republican River country. The Pawnees wore cavalry uniforms and were well mounted. On this expedition the command recovered from the Sioux two white women, Mrs. Alderdice and Mrs. Weichel, both of whom had been shot by Chief Tall Bull when he found there was no hope of his retaining them as captives. The former died from her wounds almost immediately, and was buried on the battlefield. It was learned from Mrs. Weichel that the Christian name of Mrs. Alderdice was Susannah, and this name was given by General Carr to the place where the battle occurred. This was in Northwestern Colorado, on the summit of the sand hills between the Platte River and Frenchman Creek. The name was afterward changed to Summit Springs.
COLUMBUS THE BIRTHPLACE OF BUFFALO BILL'S "WILD WEST SHOW"
The "Wild West," a tent show, in which was depicted the glories and customs of the aborigine and plainsman, excited the admiration of the world, and particularly the United States, because of its dis-
212
PAST AND PRESENT OF PLATTE COUNTY
tinctive American flavor and origin. That it was organized in Platte County and a number of Platte County's citizens took part in its first exhibition, makes a short sketch of this, one of the greatest of all shows, a part of this history. William F. Cody, known as Buffalo Bill, and the chief attraction of the "Wild West," was born in Scott County, Ia., February 26, 1845. His parents were pioneers of Iowa, and removed to Kansas in 1852, when that state was still a wilderness. His father carried on a trading business with the Indians and here it was that young Cody learned to shoot the bow and arrow, and handle the gun. While still in his youth he became familiar with the Indian character and language. ITis father died in 1857, leaving a family of small children almost entirely to his care. His mother died in 1863, after which he joined the Seventh Kansas Regiment and went South. He served his country with honor until the end of the war.
Anything that might be said in this history would not add to or take from the honors already won by Buffalo Bill. He is, without doubt, the most widely known American today, living or dead, and his show has never been equaled in the history of the world. In January, 1872, Grand Duke Alexis, of Russia, with a party of friends, was taken out on a buffalo hunt by him. It is said that on this buffalo exterminating expedition for the entertainment of the duke, Cody received the name of "Buffalo Bill," for at that time he distinguished himself by the number of buffaloes he killed and therefore earned the name which the duke gave him. During the summer and fall of 1872 he went upon the stage, first appearing in .Chicago. In 1877 and 1878 he again went upon the stage in a dramatic performance, assisted by Charlie and Ed Burgess, two Columbus boys, the former known as the "Boy Chief of the Pawnees." They appeared in all the large cities of this country with great success. In 1881 the people of North Platte, Neb., near which town Cody had a ranch, where he spent his leisure time, decided to celebrate the Fourth of July. and at the suggestion of some prominent men of that city, they selected a wild west show. Cody was one of the men mostly interested in the scheme, and to him was left the work of seeuring the cowboys and Indians to help out the celebration. In North Platte at the time was an old stage coach owned by Jim Stephenson, of Omaha, who was the proprietor of the Deadwood-Sidney and other western stage lines. At the suggestion of Cody, the Indians were to attack the coach and be repulsed by the cowboys and soldiers. The program arranged included riding wild horses, shooting and all other amusements of a western man. That Fourth of July was the most exciting of any
213
PAST AND PRESENT OF PLATTE COUNTY
celebration ever held in the state, and it attracted crowds from all parts of the West. Not many days after the celebration, Cody was met by numerous persons who said it ought to be repeated every year. Cody saw at once that it was something new in American entertain- ments, and he believed by taking such an aggregation East he could make money. The matter was discussed with some of his friends in North Platte, and finally Cody said he would advance the money and start out. The noted Indian fighters of the great West were selected, the most conspicuous of these being his old time friends, Maj. Frank J. North, George W. Clother and Fred Mathews, of Platte County.
The year following the advent of this great show, Cody selected George W. Turner, another one of Platte County's sons, to assist him in his gigantic undertaking. This noble quartette of brave, clear- eyed, broad-shouldered, well-formed men, whether on foot or on horse- back, represented the most perfect types of physical manhood. They have been honored by the nations of Europe, and Her Royal High- ness Queen Victoria outdid all other crowned heads by the attention she bestowed on the distinguished Americans.
The Indians, cowboys and others who were to be a part of the show, were collected together at the fair grounds, about one mile northwest of Columbus, in the spring of 1883. After a few weeks' preparation, a trial exhibition was given, at which many of the citi- zens of Platte County were interested spectators. The first exhibition to which the general public was admitted took place in Omaha, during the summer of 1883. At first the show was small, but he has added to it many new features, until now it is the greatest aggregation of this or any other country. The Wild West is an outdoor entertain- ment, intended to give the people a correct picture of life in the far West, showing the Indian dances, battles, shooting contests, buffalo hunts, etc. The Wild West has appeared in all the large cities of the United States and made two tours of Canada, the first in 1885, and the second in 1897. The first trip to England was made in 1887, where the show opened at the American Exhibition, Earl's Court, London, for six months, after which they played the following winter in Manchester, England. The show returned to the United States in the spring of 1888, where it remained until the spring of 1889, when it made another foreign tour, opening up in Paris, remaining there during the exposition. The countries visited during this tour were France, Spain, Italy, Austria, Bavaria and Germany. In the fall of 1890, Cody returned to the United States to act as chief of the scouts during the Indian uprising at Wounded Knee, Dak. Dur-
214
PAST AND PRESENT OF PLATTE COUNTY
ing his absence the show went into winter quarters at Benfeld, Alsace, all the show people returning home except those necessary to take charge of the property. In the spring of 1891 the show opened at Strassburg, visiting Belgium, England and Wales. In the winter of 1891, they appeared in Glasgow, Scotland. During the summer of 1892 the show remained in London, returning to the United States in the fall. The season of 1893 was spent at the World's Fair, Chi- cago, since which time it has been touring the United States and Canada. To form an estimate of this show it is only necessary to give a few facts: Eleven acres of ground are required to give the exhibition. The amount of canvas used for the great tent is 22.750 yards, the actors performing in an open enclosure, the tent being used for the audience alone. The number of tent stakes to be driven is 1,104. Over twenty miles of rope is used in the construction of the tent, guard ropes, etc. Six hundred people are employed and over five hundred horses. The seating capacity of the big tent is 25,000, and frequently crowds are turned away.
The Wild West again made its appearance in Omaha in the sun- mer of 1898, just fifteen years from the time of its first appearance in the same city. There has been a grand improvement in this great show since its first exhibition in Omaha. As a show, it has no superior, no equal, no imitators. The parade makes, without exception, the most imposing spectacle offered to modern civilization in the whole world. The groups of American Indians, clad in the wild garb of the early times, forms one of the chief attractions. The Bedouins of the desert, on their prancing steeds, and the Cossacks from the steppes of Russia, cowboys, Arabs, the German, English and Cuban cavalry troops, scenes of the Custer massacre, never fails to awaken the keenest interest. The old stage coach, retired from business in 1896, has done good service in the Wild West and has quite a history. In 1876 it was purchased and put on the stage line between Cheyenne and the Black Hills. It led all others from Cheyenne when the first start was made in the spring of that year. While going from Custer to Fort Laramie, it was attacked by Indians and one man was killed; the rest escaped, and the Indians rode off with the mules. The coach remained there several days and was then brought into Cheyenne. It continued to make trips between Cheyenne and Fort Laramie for some time and carried the scalp of the famous warrior "Yellow . Hand," which Buffalo Bill sent to New York. After General Crook had overcome Chief Red Cloud, Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull's bands of Indians, he and Buffalo Bill rode to Cheyenne in it. After this
215
PAST AND PRESENT OF PLATTE COUNTY
it was used between Fort Laramie and Custer and finally made to do important duty in carrying gold from Deadwood to Cheyenne. This coach was attacked by robbers no less than eleven times, the last time being in 1878, in which one man was killed, one severely wounded and $28,000 in gold was captured. The old stage was then set aside and not used until it was purchased by Cody for the show. The old stage has had many ups and downs. Many of the most noted stage drivers of the stage coaching days have sat in the box of the old vehicle. This old stage is the last of its kind and is a relic of more than ordinary interest.
FRED MATHEWS OVERLAND STAGE DRIVER OF PIONEER DAYS
Fred Mathews, deceased, one of the pioneers of Platte County, was born in Lobo, Canada, January 4, 1831, and died in Columbus, December 25, 1890. He came west in 1857 and was engaged in driv- ing a stage coach in Iowa until 1864, when he came to Columbus, and drove the overland stage coach from Columbus to points in the west until the completion of the Union Pacific Railroad through Platte County in 1866. He did excellent service with the famous Pawnee Scouts as lieutenant under Maj. Frank J. North. When Buffalo Bill started his Wild West show, Fred was selected to drive the six- mule team attached to the stage coach which was driven in the arena and attacked by the Indians, in imitation of the real scenes he had passed through on the frontier, making one of the most exciting and realistic exhibitions of the Wild West. The coach was often filled with many royal personages who coveted a ride in the old coach while Fred skilfully handled the "ribbons." He was taken sick in Barce- lona, Spain, in the spring of 1890, and returned to Columbus, where he remained until his death. Fred was a man of large muscular build, of iron nerve, used to the dangers common to frontier life. When our country needed help to clear the country of the settlers' deadliest foe-the Indian-as a loyal son he was ready to respond. He was a man of undaunted courage and when in border days knives and pistols were as numerous and common as watchies are now, the point- ing of a pistol at him seemed to give delight to his frontier life and border nature.
CHAPTER XVI
REMINISCENCES
At the first session of the Legislature a charter was passed for a ferry across the Loup Fork River. The incorporators were James C. Mitchell and others. Mitchell was the founder of the Town of Florence, which in early times was not an inconsiderable rival of Omaha. It was claimed by him that the river at that place had a rock bottom and consequently, when the Iowa railroads built to the Missouri River, thought they would come to Florence instead of Omaha.
WHEN THE OFFICE SOUGHT THE MAN AND FAILED
In 1858 there was an immense immigration to the newly discov- ered gold mines in Colorado, and Mitchell's ferry stock was about the only property he had that was protected. He came to Columbus to give it his personal attention and remained during the season. John Rickly was then the proprietor of a steam sawmill and sold him lumber, but found it necessary to commence suits to collect the amounts due him. At that time the office of sheriff was vacant, the incumbent having moved away and no one was willing to take the office, nor would any one hold the office of constable. There was one justice of the peace and when he issued a summons he speedily authorized some person to serve it. At one of the suits of Rickly against Mitchell the litigants became quarrelsome. The lie was exchanged, whereupon the ex-sailor arose, shipped the magistrate's hatchet and ballast and steered for the door, preceded by about a half minute by Mr. Rickly, who had suddenly recollected an engagement which he had in another part of the town. The justice, appreciating the im- possibility of supporting his dignity, as well as that of the people of Nebraska in holding court in Columbus without the assistance of an officer in court, became demoralized, and addressed a letter to the county clerk to the effect that he respectfully returned to the people the trust they had invested with him.
216
217
PAST AND PRESENT OF PLATTE COUNTY
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.