USA > Nebraska > Fillmore County > Pioneer stories of the pioneers of Fillmore and adjoining counties > Part 9
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Wallingford the birth place of the Sevells, is in Berkshire, pronounced locally "Barkshire," and is styled the "Royal county" of England because it contains Windsor Castle, the residence of the English King, the royal seat of Frogmore, Cumberland Lodge, and Cranbourn Lodge. It was the scene of many of the most important struggles during early English history.
Probably no particular place in the county has figured more in that history than Wallingford. This town seems to have stood in the forefront, having a past history and glory which none can deny. The beginning of the town is practically unknown, but ancient coins have been found in the neigh- borhood which date it back to 150 or 200, B. C.
In known history we find that the town belonged in turns to the King- doms of Wessex and Mercia, finally becoming simply a town in England In the ninth century it was the scene of some of the struggles between Alfred (afterwards the Great) and the Danes, the town was burned by the Danes in the tenth century.
The ruins of its ancient Castle stand as witness and evidence of a past glory, it was the home of Wigod the Saxon, who was cupbearer to Edward the Confessor. Being favorable to the Normans, he afterwards accepted a Norman Baron as a son-in-law; D'oyley the Baron marrying his only child. The castle being completed by him in 1071 is therefore recognized as a Nor- man Castle.
The civil war in England was concluded in 1153 by the signing of a treaty outside the walls of this castle. Its last royal occupant was Edward the Black Prince who was the first man to bear the title of "Duke of Corn- wall" a title now held by the Prince of Wales. The castle afterwards became a fortress, and in the year 1646 withstood a seige lasting sixty days. Its demolition was ordered in the year 1652.
The town also bears the marks of Roman thought and influence, the neighborhood was said to have been visited by Julius Caesar, and not far distant is the historic Runnymede where King John signed the Magna Charta which gave the English people their liberty, and freed them forever from feudal control, because they had so deliberately "Run-amuck."
These, then, are a few of the historical associations of a family who came into these plains to help build a new town (to them) a new world, and the public press of this town has borne testimony to the worthy char- acter and sterling manhood of William Dyer who passed away suddenly in September 1901, and was buried in the Exeter Cemetary.
He came to America in 1871, bringing with him his wife and child ( Bert Dyer, Implement Dealer) and came direct to Exeter. He bought some rail- road land in Saline county, but in the fall of 1872 he homesteaded on Section 24 in Liberty township, Fillmore county, where he farmed for several years, and taught school in the district and other places. Railroad land at the time he settled here was worth from $6 to $7 an acre, the same land is now worth at least $130 an acre.
They lived in a dugout until the year 1830 when he built a frame house, but in that year his wife died leaving him five children. in the early days Indians were sometimes seen passing along on their hunting expeditions, the men riding their shaggy mustang ponies, (ponies with long hair) these were fitted up with two long poles reaching behind, on which they carried their camping outfit; and what they were unable to load on the ponies, was carried by the squaws who, in meek subjection walked behind their mounted lords. One day Mrs. Dyer had just finished washing the baby, and had placed it in its crib when on turning round she beheld some Indians standing in the room, they having come into the house very quietly. They wanted permission to hunt beaver along the creek, and also asked for bacon and rice, these were all given "discretion being the better part of valor." It was her first experience with "the children of the plains."
On another occasion she was busy making bread, when, on looking round she found three Indians in the room, who as usual had walked noise- lessly into the house. They wanted bread which she showed them was not yet baked, but promised that they would receive some by night. When Mr. Dyer returned home from his school and learned of the visit of the Indians, he took them three loaves of bread, carrying them to their camp two miles east along the Turkey creek. These are the experiences of the past; these friends are gone, so are the Indians, let us ponder wisely the gift of life and do good while we can, for as the Omahas taught :--
Man's Life is Transitory.
"Mo yho sho gete tho Mo yho sho gete tho he tho Ho thi ge de sho gete tho
Mo yho sho gete tho
Mo yho sho gete tho he tho Sho gete tho he."
The land, the scene one beholds shall long endure; when I am gone. Therefore said the Omaha Indian: "I shall vanish and be no more but the land over which I now roam shall remain and change not."
During the great blizzard. the windows and door of the dugout were completely snowed under, Mr. Dyer and his family lay in bed till twelve o'clock noon wondering when it would be daylight, not knowing it was so late, until they noticed a streak of light shining into the stove; the chimney being a straight one.
He gave up farming in 1887 having already commenced work for the Home Insurance Company of New York, and was located in Exeter, though his insurance interests extended over a very large area. He was recognized as a faithful and industrious worker, doing a large business including Auction- eering, and was at the time of his death serving in the J. N. Cox Store. He was an active worker in the Congregational Church, having been accustomed to have religious influences around his life in the old country, he sought such influences here, and was always endeavoring to comply with the requirements of a true christian gentleman. It was said at the time of his death that Fill- more county had lost one of her best citizens. His widow (The second Mrs. Dyer) and several of his children still live in the town or district.
WILLIAM MANN.
William Mann was born in Pennsylvania, but lived for some time in Knox county, Illinois. He came to Nebraska in the fall of 186), settling in the McFadden township, Yoik county. He brounght with him his wife and seven children. William W. Mann his eldest son, to whom we are indebted for these reminiscences worked for Elias Gilmore (one of the oldest settlers in York county) for about two years and drove oxen all that time. At the age of fifteen years he was doing equal to a man's work for $15 a month, Mr. Gilmore raised the first wheat crop in York county. It was when he was working for Gilmore plowing corn with a double shovel plough that a deer came within thirty rods of him.
On another occasion he went to capture a wolf that had got away with the trap, he had with him two dogs, but they would not touch the wolf (Shunktokecha) and then as he was running to head it off, he unexpectedly jumped down a hollow close beside a deer, which gave two great jumps and then stood staring at him. It was evidently a case of mutual surprise. The wolf was caught the next day one mile away entangled in a hill of corn.
In those early days the grouse were more plentiful than are the black- birds now, and the beavers were numerous along the banks of the Blue riv- er. It was wonderful to see how these little animals would throw trees, and roll them so as to make dams on the river. The river then, was true to its name; the water being clear, and its bottom covered with sand or pebbles which could be seen easily through water seven feet deep; but the breaking up of the praire with the washing down of the soil have long since changed the complexion of the Blue river.
Their dugout was only about four rods from the river, and on one oc- casion five hundred Indians who were going out buffalo hunting camped three quarters of a mile from their place.
It was always said. that "a white man could not get up close to an Indian without his knowing it." they were so alert and wide awake as to detect the movement of a leaf. One day young William saw two Indians beaver trap- ping along the river and thought it would be good opportunity to put them to the test, so he secured his shot gun and went near the Indians getting within six or seven feet of them and stood there watching them placing their traps and covering them with leaves. Then one of the Indians turned, and to his surprise saw the unexpected visitor, and said in haste, "Ouh!" They then pretended they could rot understand or talk English, but in time it was proved they could, for it being Sunday several people passed along the road going to some service, and being attired in their best clothes; one of the Indians unwittingly said to the other. "This is Sunday isn't it?"
During the visit of the grasshoppers it was noticed that sorghum was the only thing they did not eat ..
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CHARLES EBERSTEIN.
Charles Eberstein is a native of Kalamazoo, Michigan. He joined the army when quite young, and in the spring of 1865 he passed through Neb- raska with his regiment which was sent out west because of the Indian up- rising, and was in the same company as William Ramsdell, another of our pioneers. The main army was divided on the Platte, part of it going to Utah because of trouble among the Mormons; the other part going to Wyoming.
Mr. Eberstein's brother, Henry was sent to Utah, and had to pay $300 for a stage ride back from Salt Lake City to Atchinson, Kansas; such was the cost of travel in early days. Mr. Eberstein went with his company to Wyoming and soon afterwards returned to Michigan.
He came to Omaha, Nebraska in 1867 and lived there until he was of age; so that he could homestead. During that time he heard of a surveying party being fitted out to go west, and he tried to join it. But when he saw the surveyor, he was told he was just one day too late; all the men needed hav- ing been engaged. The party set out for Fort Kearney where they were to secure the help and protection of some soldiers, but before this was accom- plished the whole party was overtaken and massacred, a happy miss for Mr. Eberstein.
In the early part of March 1867 he set out West along with Mike Mar- key and William Hartsell, with a team and wagon, landing at the home of Mr. Alexandrias, who had located about 1862 on the Big Sandy river near a small town called Meridian situated on the Little Blue river. When making inquiries about homesteads at the Beatrice land office, he asked for a plat of Fillmore county and laid down the dollar in payment, but on looking at the plat he saw that the land was all vacant, so he picked up his dollar, say- ing, "I guess I do not need a plat," and the man in charge replied, "No, you will not need it as all the land is vacant." It is perhaps well to add here, that the north half of Fillmore county was homesteaded through the Lin- coln land office, and the south half through the office at Beatrice
The three men came ten miles north of the Alexandras place, Mr. Mar- key and Mr. Hartsell homesteading in Saline county, and Mr. Eberstein home- steaded two and a half miles north west of them in Fillmore county, taking the South East quarter of Section 13, Town 5 Range 1, the claim taking in the forks of the Walnut creek, it being the first piece of land taken in the south half of Filmore County. That was in April 1869, a few days after he had come of age.
The nearest neighbor was ten miles away, and the next settlers to come into the south half of the county were, George Marley and Frank Snow, who came in the following June.
They soon began breaking prairie and planting sod corn, and were never without fire-arms day or night, for fear of the Indians. Mr. Eberstein broke the first prairie ever broken in that part of the country, and had at the time a rifle strapped to the plough handle, and a six shooter strapped around his waist.
During that summer the Indians broke out and came down near Medi- dian, and Governor Butler, who was then Governor of Nebraska, ordered the raising of State Militia, which Mr. Eberstein joined. They built a fort at the mouth of Spring Creek and the Blue river near where Hebron now stands, calling it Fort Butler; it being the head-quarters of the Militia during the season. The Indians thought a great deal of the Little Blue river, and were very loath to give it up, which accounts for the many raids made along its banks.
They made numerous scouting trips to the South and West, one of which was in reality a buffalo hunt. There were about thirty men including Governor Butler, and also two English lords who went out seeking a location for a colony. About two weeks were spent on this trip, and they often saw signs of Indians, but never came into contact with any.
The greater part of the hunting was done where Superior now stands, and they succeeded in killing 125 buffaloes, also numerous elks, antelopes and deer. They returned to Fort Butler with ten wagon loads of meat, after which they were soon discharged from the State Militia.
It was now late in the fall; so Mr. Eberstein returned to his claim and spent a few days building a log cabin, then he went on horse back to Platts- mouth where he spent the winter working on the first miles of the Burling- ton Railroad built in Nebraska.
The following Feburary he returned to his claim, and that spring the
country was well settled up and numerous improvements made. Two broth- ers, John and Henry, also settled in the neighborhood, and a sister, Mrs. Vroman, was the first teacher in the Evergreen district, which was originally part of the Mount Zion District.
L. T. MEAD.
L. T. Mead was a native of Fort Branch, Gibson County, Indiana, and came to Nebraska in March 1870, bringing with him his wife and little son- the two daughters coming later. They settled in Lincoln where he worked as a wagon-wright for David Bowen, the first blacksmith in Lincoln, Mr. Mead being the first man to do the wood work.
In the fall of that year he came out west and secured a claim, but re- turned to Lincoln where he worked until the next spring. They came to the homestead in March 1871, it being the South East quarter of Section 4, Town 8, Range 1, west. Their first house was one room, eighteen feet square and made of wood, and in this they were often called upon to entertain trav- elers passing over the prairies; the small house being often taxed to its ut- most capacity. Their first barn wherein they kept their cow, was a teepee or tent, and so severe was the weather that winter, that the cow had its mouth badly frozen, but with careful nursing it recovered from that misfortune. It is also remembered that Mr. Mead harvested his wheat one year wearing an overcoat so severe was the weather that season.
On one occasion a dinner was given to some Pawnee Indians, and when it came to the helping of themselves with the butter, they simply took a chunk in their hands and ate it clear. There was no need of knives or spoons, they were in no degree fastidious, but were evidently quite original; fingers hav- ing been made long before spoons.
A neighbor named Wright, with his wife and children were going to town along with Colonel Babcock-who provided the conveyance. When about half a mile from Mead's house they were overtaken by a fearful wind storm. None of the party can remember just how it happened; but they found themselves lying in Mead's wheat field. The wagon box in which they were sitting was carried off the running gear and tipped over into the field. The party was badly scared though none were injured.
Because of the apparent damage done to the young wheat, Colonel Bah- cock suggested payment for the same, but Mr. Mead said, "We will wait till harvest and see how things turn out."
The incident was always a standing joke with Mr. Mead, as he always said, "he had better wheat on that particular spot than anywhere else in the field."
Mr. Mead built a sod workshop and did a great deal of wagon repairing and other work for several years.
One of the most pleasing sights in those early days was the prairie mir- age, when, in the clear weather of the early morning they would often see that wonderful phenomenon which has unfortunately proved such a snare and disappointment to weary travellers on the plains. This optical phenomenon would sometimes give the effect as of a vast sea, or a river with trees grow- ing on its banks, or a great city. At other times it would come more as the "Looming" when distant unseen objects would be observed in the sky; the town of Fairmont being reflected in that way. The local people who enjoyed this wonderful sight, said, "the air is rarefied," so one morning the Mead boy went out of doors, and upon seeing the mirage, ran into the house saying, "O mama, the air is glorified this morning!"
Mr. Mead lived on the homestead eleven years, and then moved into Ex-
eter, where he died on April 17, 1901, in his 75 year. Mrs. Mead lived until February 8, 1913, and was 82 when she died. They both joined the United. Brethren Church held in the Redfern school house, of which body Mr. Mead remained a member till his death. Mrs. Mead was a member of the M. E. church when she died.
It is worthy of mention, that Mrs. Mead could trace her family geneal- ogy back to show her relationship to General Robert E. Lee, of Civil War fane, and Mr. Mead could trace his back to show relationship to Sergeant John Prichett, a soldier of the Revolution.
JOHN REDFERN.
John Redfern came with his parents from England, and lived for some time in Peoria, Illinois. He came to Nebraska in 1870 and lived for three years near Nebraska City. When they arrived at the Missouri River, it was frozen over, but the ice was too thin to be safe for heavy traffc, so they walk- ed across it in snow knee deep, and had to wait some time for their goods. They next came and settled on land three miles north of Exeter, and had a family of seven children to care for, and only one span of mules with which to start life on the new land. They built a sod house and passed through many 'hard- ships and privations in their efforts to make a living.
They suffered the loss of a corn crop by hail; the corn stalks being cut off to about six inches above the ground, besides losses through blizzards and grasshoppers.
One day one of the boys went round the house to pick up what he thought tas a piece of black cloth, when to his surprise he found it to be a rattle snake.
Their house was opened for preaching services and sunday school, Mr. Redfern being a great sunday school worker. "Father" Green would preach there, an old man who was one of the best known and most respected charac- ters in the district. A United Brethren Church was organized and afterwards carried on in the sod school house, but like many of the country churches, it had only a short life. Mr. Redfern died on November 17, 1901, his widow still owns the land but lives in town.
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MR. AND MRS. JAMES NOLAN
Mr. and Mrs. James Nolan, now of Cambridge, Nebraska, were among the pioneer settlers of Fillmore County, having come by wagon from Iowa, and settled on a homestead six miles south of Exeter, on June 12, 1871.
They brought along with them nine head of cattle and four horses, and were fortunate in having also a good supply of meat and provisions which lasted them until fall. After landing on the prairie, they took off the wagon covers and used them to sleep under, cooking their food by camp fire, and hauled all the water they needed from Turkey creek, a distance of about two miles. Mrs. Nolan made her first butter out on the prairie and sold it to Dr. Smith of Exeter, the next butter she took in, they paid her 30 cents per Ib, and Chas Smith (then a little fellow) said, "We will eat that butter ourselves."
Their first house consisted of but one room, made out of logs, sod and grass, having one window and one door. Their well was dug with a spade, the lumber necessary to use in it had to be hauled all the way from Lincoln. During the time they were digging the well Mr. Nolan's mother, (then an old lady of about 75 years, who made her home with them) got her leg broken.
Their furniture had not yet come, so a bed had to be made of logs and boards, and a doctor secured from Crete. One day after her bed had come and she was more comfortably situated, a little house dog insisted on banking and making a great fuss over something it saw under the bed, and on investigation it was found that a large rattle snake was coiled up on the floor. They knew that it must be gotten out, somehow, without let- ting her know it, so some of them gathered around the bed and talked to her while her son took the snake out with a pitch-fork.
Fifteen acres was all that was broken up the first year, but each year more of the land was farmed, some trees and shrubs were set out, and a new sod house with a shingle roof and a board floor took the place of the old one.
One day in August when Mr. Nolan was away from home, his wife saw a great prairie fire about a mile west, and she, fearful for the mother ly- ing helpless in the house, went to fight the fire, and worked hard all day long until sundown, coming home almost exhausted only to find another fire coming from the east and was only a short distance from the house, but by this time Mr. Nolan was home, and plowing a fire guard which saved them from harm. Their first snow came in the night and crept in all around the roof and open places in the house, so that when they awakened in the morning they found themselves covered with a blanket of snow. Their first Christmas morning on the homestead found everything covered with about two feet of snow and not an ounce of flour in the house. Mr. Nolan had to go after it on horseback, the snow was so drifted in places that it was almost two o'clock in the afternoon before he got home.
It was the custom of Mr. Nolan to fix a lantern on a pole in front of the house, so that when he had to come home after night, his wife could lignt the lantern that he might find his way home, for at that time there were no roads in the country. The second year they had fifteen acres of wheat all ripe and ready to cut, so Mr. Nolan went to Fairmont and bought a har- vester, but that night there came a heavy rain and hail storm, and in the morning no harvester was needed as all the grain was lying flat on the ground.
In the year of the grasshoppers he was fortunate to have his wheat in the shock, but the corn and the contents of a small garden were eaten in about an hour, only the stumps of the cabbages remained. Mrs. Nolan's brother, George Nugent, had a small patch of tobacco, and they took it all so clean, one could scarcely tell what had been in the field. Mr. Nugent said, "If they had only waited he would have gotten them a gross of pipes so they could have had a smoke."
The first school house was built on the south east corner of their claim, and was used as school house, church, and a place for any kind of public gatherings, and often proved a place of shelter for the passing home seeker. In those days the Indians were often seen roaming over the prairie. One day just at noon one of them came to the door and wanted his dinner, so they gave him bread and butter and some coffee; from a good sized loaf of bread they cut four slices, the first two he ate, but the next two he cut out the centers leaving the crust.
During the blizzard of 1874, they endured many inconveniences, having in the house a calf, a colt, and two dozen chickens. The fuel got so scarce they had to chop up a bed and other pieces of furniture to keep themselves warm. They endured many of the trials and hardships incident to real life on the plains. Three times the angel of death visited their home and carried away their loved ones, but never did they think of leaving the place they then called "Home."
CHESTER C. STEPHENS.
Chester C. Stephens, brother to Mrs. Downey was born in Pennsylvania, but lived for some time in Michigan. He came to Nebraska in 1871, and located on the north west quarter of Section 4, Town 7, Range 1, west. His first home was a dug out, size 10 ft. by 12 ft., close to where his house now stands, such was its construction that he might very reasonably be called one of Nebraska's early cave dwellers. Before this cave was made he used his wagon cover which was on a good frame as a tent, having it well staked to the ground. One warm night he lay sleeping with the cover up, thoroughly enjoying the prairie air, and as contented as a monarch on his land; when he felt something cold against his face, and on looking up beheld a prairie wolf with its paws upon his bed, and carefully scenting the occupant of the same, while another wolf sat on her haunches a short distance away. He immediately reached out his hand for his revolver, but before he could fire a shot, the unwelcome visitors had made their escape.
On another occasion he was lying in his bed in the dug-out with the door wide open, when a wolf made its appearance, and showed signs of a desire for closer investigation, when he got his revolver and fired, but again the shaggy coat made an escape.
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