F 672 cts] .S5 U7 ^^ Copy 1 \ ! [$1.00 per Doz.; ^ P itwaii 6®ma NEBRASKA. SEWARD LAW AGENCY, OF O T. B. ^Williams. SPECIAL ATTENTION GIVEN TO PROBATE AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' BUSINESS AND LAND TITLE GASES. Seward, - - - Nebraska. iittesney ei l^a^w Gindl Meiaisy Fii%lie» Will Vay Taxes, Buy, Sell and Locate Lands, anid Buy and Sell Warrants, At reasonable rates, for persons living at a distance. CORRESPONDENCE INVITED. All letters of enquiry regarding the Soil, Climate, Price of Land, Railroad Prospects, and the country generally, promptly answered. SAFE AND SURE INVESTMENTS. Eastern Capitalists are particularly invited to our facilities for making safest investments? with largest retnrnv<5. THE ELEMENTS OF PROSPERITY— AGRICULTURE AND MANUFACTURES— NATURALLY UNITED. swmii C!®«ffilf DESCRIPTION, RESOURCES AND ADVANTAGES, By O. T. B. WILLI^^I^. MILFORD, NEBK. : CULVER & PARSONS, Publishers. 1872. PREFACE Hoping to contribute our mite to aid in the development of this portion of the Blue Valley, we have presented our readers with a de- scriptive view of Sev/ard county, and trust that such facts as we have gathered and now present to them, will prove the moans of inducing a large immigration to this part of the State. The Blue Valley has been well termed the " Garden of Nebraska." Its soil, climate and scenery are no where sui'passed in the prairie country of the west, and we count it alike a privilege and a duty, to set forth to all those seeking homes among us, west of the Missouri, all the advantages of this county. -. \ While a great deal is being written, concerning different localities of the State, we have thought it better to place all the facts in juxta- position as we have done in this pamplet, and then each citizen of the county will be afforded a much better opportunity of sending over the country, east, west, north and south to their many friends, a more com- plete statement than would be afforded in a single number of the local press. We here desire to express our thanks to those friends who have contributed facts which we have embodied in this sketch. The Editor and Publishers have endeavored to prepare this collec- tion of fticts, and set them before the public in such a manner as sliall best afford proof of the rapid advancement of this new country, in all that is most desirable in a thriving and prosperous community. If it shall afford this satisfaction, they feel abundantly gratified. March, 1872. Vt) SEWARD COUNTY ITS DESCRIPTION, HISTORY AND RESOURCES. The broad, grand prairies lying between the river Missouri and the Rocky Mountains, were, as hxte as the year 1840, described by geographers " the great American desert — a v;ist unexplored region, inhabited by buJSalo, savages and wild beasts." Indeed, for more than ten years later, the west side of the Missouri river Avas the abode only of the red man, and the- wild game that afforded him an irregular sup- port. Vast herds of buffalo, elk, deer, antelope — "the wild gazelle, with silvery feet" of romance and song, — still roamed in happy free- dom over the trackless ocean of gi'asses in the mighty meadows of the west. The Indian tribes, not then reduced by the encroachments of anotlicr and more powerful race, passed their time in the hunt and the chase, or in measuring war-powers with other tribes. But the Indians are dying out, together with their traditions. The force of Mind is pressing on, and mere physical supremacy must yield to its overmas- tering domination. The decade preceding the great rebellion was marked by the settle- ment of Nebraska. In 185-4 the Territory was organized, and a few counties along the Missouri had become sparsely settled. Emigi-ation did not pour into the new territory very rapidly as was at first expected, owing to the impression prevailing at the East, that, except upon the margin of the streams, the Avhole territory was a barren, sandy desert. This impression prevailed until 1859, when the great exodus to Pike's Peak from all the eastern States, helped to SAvell the gold excitement 4 SEWARD COUNTY. which disappointed so many thousands. Among the multitudes carried away by the second gold excitement concerning the placers of the Rocky Mountains, some had advanced on their journey no farther than the county of Butler, in the State of Nebraska, wdien reports of an adverse nature changed the mind of the weary pilgrim to this Mecca of his idolatry, and many resolved to pursue the phantom no longer. The lovely country, spread out before them on every hand, charmed them, and their dejected spirits at once revived. They concluded to take a survey of the whole region, and if it were like this, determined to make themselves permanent homes. Pursuing their course down the valley of the Blue river, as far as its largest tributary in Seward county, the West Blue, they located on that branch, at what is now called West Mills. Here the grand old prairies w^ere before them, on every side, and they pitched their tents on the banks of the lovely stream, that coursed its v/inding way through a thick foliage of Cottonwood and Oak. On this spot they were now content to dwell, and here they coveted to make their graves. Fourteen years have passed aad many of the older settlers still reside on lovely homes of quiet and plenty. The folloAving year, a few more settlers came into the county, and located farms on the Big Blue about half way between where the town of Milford and Seward are now laid out. This was the beginning of the settlements, in what was then termed Green county. In the year 1861, J. L. Davison, Esq., of Milford, was appointed by the Legisla- ture, one of tlie Commissioners to run a territorial road, running from Nebraska City to Fort Kearny. It crossed the Big Blue near Avhere Camden is now situated, and aftbrded great facilities to the through travel and freight trains traversing this great highway to the new city of Denver. ''Life on the Plains," was tlien at its zenith, and the aboriginees, jealous of the inroads forced through their hunting grounds by their more vigorous and enterprising neighbors — the whites — formed plan after plan, to drive out and exterminate the pale faced marauder. But their eftbrts to preserve their freedom and their rights, only met with a still greater determination on the part of their foes, to wage a merciless warfare, until everv nation of tlie redmen, who were the real ITS EARLY niSTORY. P OY.-ncrs of the soil, :sliould l)ecorae extinct tlirougout the length and breadth of our domain, and the more intellectual race should come in to supplant tliem. Shortly after the commencement of our domestic conflict the name of the county, which had hitherto been called Green, was changed to that of ScYvard. This was done because of the course taken by the Sen- ator from Missouri, from whom the name of the county had been derived. He took a prominent part in the late rebellion against the Government of our country, and sought to use his influence for its overthrow. The Legislature promptly removed from the page of history a name that liad become tarnished witli the dark stain of treason, and placed in its stead that of the distinguished statesman of freedom. The Missouri Senator has passed away. With splendid abilities — ranking among the first in that greatest deliberative body of the nation — the American Senate, he yet yielded to the potent influence of that insidious enemy of brilliant intellect — strong drink — and died a victim to its powerful fascination. But very few settlements were made in the county during the years 1862 and 1863. In 1864 the first Mill was erected on the West Blue by Mr. Thomas West; following that were built the Camden Mills of Messrs. Parker & Roper ; and emigration then began to increase some- what. In the year 1865, the first organization of the county took place, and then that year a large influx of population became visible. In 1867 Messrs. Reed & Davison erected Mills at Milford ; and in 1868 H. L. Boyes began the erection of his Mill at Seward. About this time the number of inhabitants throughout the county was a little over one thousand, and the unparalleled increase since then makes us number at the present writing nearly four thousand. AGRICULTURE. Probably no county in the State will take rank in advance of Seward in })oint of agricultural advantages. Witli a soil particularly well adapted to the growth of the cereals (lacing a sandy loam, and a vegetable mould charged with iinie) it lias already given evidence of its 6 ^!EWAKD COUNTY. capaljilities in this ves})ect, sufficiently so, to give the most cucouvaging assurance of its adaptedness to this particuhir branch of husbandry. The soil is from one to three feet thick, and more resembles compost, or artificial mould, than wild natural soil. This extremely ricli deposit rests upon an underlying yellowish clay subsoil, whicli, witli its sponge- like properties, retains moisture during the very dryest season, and thus affords that healthful nutrition which causes vegetation to grow here in so prolific a manner. The formation of the surface is such that natural drainage is here displaycrl in its higliest state of perfection. The beds of our water courses are much depressed below the general level of the country, and sloughs of standing water are comparatively unknown. Added to this, the undulations, which are so pleasing to the eye, tend to promote more minute drainage ; and while lending aid in this direction do not cause ascents or descents of so abrupt a nature as to prevent the tillage of the entire surface of the land. Not only do cereals grow well, but root crops are in no wise behind them ; they yield enormously. Our grasses are principally wild yet, but it is known that timothy and red top, as well as the clovers and other tame gi-asses, grow in luxurious abundance wherever tried. Our farmers, with that forethought which manifests the highest degree of intelligence, have set themselves to work to remedy a great natural deficiency in the State of Nebraska. The reader will very readily infer that the deprivation of timber is meant. That trees grow- here spontaneously is well knoAvn ; but the great prairie fires Avhich have raged from the earliest times, have destroyed them, as they sprouted forth year after year. Now, however, that attention is being given to their cultivation, we may soon hope to see the Central Prairie State thickly dotted with groves of CottonAvoods and Soft Maple — these trees being of more rapid growth than others. The oak, tlie walnut, the ash and the honey locust grow Avild here, in the Blue Valley, and the European larch is being introduced because of its very rapid growth. It is a beautiful tree. The wood is free-grained, fine and solid, and said to be very durable. As has just been remarked, its rapidity of growth is so great, that at ten years old, it is like the cottouAvood, over thirty r^ATURAL RESOURCES. i feet in liciglit, an • ■■/. 4th and 5th Session, page 68.) Thus it will easily be seen that we have every encouragement to make a good State. With such laAvs as these, the vast prairies of the Central State will, in a single generation, grow into a densely wooded country ; and this one element of wealth inducing emigration will give it an additional impulse, and Nebraska will liave a population that will have placed her in the front rank among the States of the Nation. Between five and six thousand acres of prairie land have been broken within a litle more than a year last past, and Avith the experi- ence of our intelligent farming population, who are now settling the county, and expending a large outlay of capital for its improvement, we expect to see Seward presenting herself in a comparatively short period, as the Banner County in the leading industrial pursuits of the State. STREAMS. The State is divided by the Platte, the Niobrarah and Republican Rivers, into three large and nearly parallel valleys. Between the Platte and the Republican, in a south easterly direction, runs the Big Blue. This stream crosses Seward county north and south a little east of the centre. Plum Creek is the principal tributary on the east side, and runs from the north-eastern portion of the county in a southwesterly direction, and empties into the Big Blue at Seward. East of the Blue, in range four, the different branches of Middle Creek take their rise, and other small streams, affording abundant water privileges in that part of the county. On the west, we have Lincoln Creek, Beaver and the West Blue, quite good sized streams — the latter as large as the Big Blue. Numerous smaller streams and rivulets flow into these, affording a good supply of water on many farms. These small creeks, except a portion of Morgan's branch, have no wood on them, and in- deed none have any great amount of timber on their banks — without including the Blues, which are well fringed with cottonwood, maple and oak, A ITS CAPABILITIES. It will be found on exumiiiation that no county in the State is bel- ter supplied with water for agricultural and manufacturing purposes than Seward. And this is well ; for the lack of timber for fuel, at least, can be supplied by each fVirmer for himself, in three or four years, but water could not be so easily obtained. When our great prairies are covered with herds and llocI:s, and our immense manufacturing facilities are fully developed, we shall see our streams throughout the length and breadth of our county, dotted here and there with woolen mills and leather manufactories, as they are now with establishments for the converson of wheat and the native timber into flour and lumber. Enterprise and capital will yet bring into service the valuable water-power of Sewaixl county. While the surface here is generally free from boulders, they are yet found in some of the -breaks," or ridges at the head of the streams. A well-defined line of granite gravel and boulders is found along the general course of the Blue, stretching as far to the northwest, beyond the Platte, as the country has been explored. They are never in quan- tity to interfere with cultivation. STOCK. The climate of our State is noted for its health-giving qualities.^ Free from all the impurities of a murky atmosphere— clear and bracing, it is unsurpassed by any State in the Union in the same latitude ; the Blue Valley being at an altitude of about seventeen hundred feet above sea level. The air is dry, pure and salubrious. Its streams are swift flowing, and there are no swamps to breed miasma or poisonous exhala- tions. ° With such a condition of climate and soil, the facilities for raising of stock could not be improved upon. Its complete adaptation to grazing is conceded by all who have visited our county. The native grasses are fine and nutritious, and all through the beautiful valley of the Blue, it was the chosen feeding ground of the buffalo, the elk, the antelope, and the deer. The advancing tide of civilization drove them westward and now their place is rapidly being supplied with herds and flocks of domestic animals. 10 ,-;EWAR1) CoriVTY. Our winters are general]}^ dry, and the native grass as it stands, affords excellent cured liay-])astures, keeping stock throughout the winter with hut little other food. The cost of putting up hay is merely nominal, not exceeding one dollar and fift}^ cents per ton, and by this means the farmer can protect himself against the common peril of hav- ing his hay-pastures burned over by prairie fires. The winters are so open, that shelter for stock is not essential, ex- cept against the winter storms which occasionally drive with great severity over our plains ; and that shelter is cheaply afforded by a rough frame of crotches, poles and brush, or walls of prairie sod cover- ed by prairie grass. More cattle are being brought in here now and considerable attention is beginning to be paid to improved breeds. Some of the very finest breeds of short horned and other improved stock have already made their appearance in Seward County, and the time is not far distant when herds of the best breeds brought into the country from abroad, will be found on all our stock ranges. Some of the fiirmers and cattle dealers of Seward have made a profitable trade, by the purchase of Texas or Cherokee cattle which have been brought here, and fattened upon our wild grasses, and thus prepared for market by one or tAvo seasons in the rich valley of the Blue. It is found that the superiority of our pastures and the less excessive heat of our summer temperature has an excellent tendency to increase their fatness. Not so much attention has been paid to horses in this country so far, but now this matter is beginning to receive attention from our most enterprising and intelligent citizens. A few fine stock horses are owned in the county and the breeding of horses will receive a share of attention which its importance and our advantages deserve and demand. Flocks of sheep are ]:>eginning to be brought in from the East. Sheep-husbandry has hitherto received but a tithe of that attention, either for their flesh or their fleece which their value ought to prompt. Our usually dry winters are peculiarly favorable to the healthfulness of the flocks. And there is jio manner of doubt of the especial adapt- CiEOLUinCAL FURMATIMXS. 11 ability of our flimate and grazing plains to the raiding of .slioep : and capital invested in wool-growing here will afford a rich return, and in time this branch of industry must prove a principal source of our Avealth. Swine are thriving greatly here, as they do almost any where that human inhaitants abound. Our whole State is so healthy for the hog, that they are increasing everywhere at a rapid rate. They are entirely free from the epidemics and diseases that affect them in other states, and farmers who raise hogs, and their own corn to fatten them with, may expect that ])ork-making will yield them large returns. GEOLOGICAL FORMATIONS, Although no geological survey of Seward county had been made, yet a superficisd examination, and the intelligent observation of practi- cal men have alike demonstrated the fact that we have here in this county, other resources, in addition to the unrivaled fertility of her soil. Limestones and sandsfcone.-; a})ou nd, and at Oak Groves, in the northeastern part of the county, thousands of bushels of Lime of excellent quality are manufactured every year. Clays of superior fineness and particularly adapted to brick-making, are located in large beds in every township, and the making of choice bricks for every va- riety of purpose, is extensively carried on, within two miles of the town of Seward, and are obtainable from the yard at ten dollars per thousand. Clay for fire brick is also found, but none of the pipe clay, such as discovered in Otoe and Dacotah counties, has yet been discovered. Nor that famous fine clay, -whiv'ii is said to so nearly resemble kaolin, recently found in Jefferson county, although something like it has been seen once or twice. Li some places in the valley of the Blue the ground is encrusted with a whitish saline matter, which clearly indicates the presence of salt in a greater or less degree, and it is believed that at no distant day the manufacture of salt will be undertaken. Marl and ])eat are found in various parts of the county, and the manufacture of the latter into fuel will be commenced early in the 12 SEWARD COFNTY. spring of 1872, by a company from the east, who have leased the sec- tion and are now making their arrangements to begin operations, as soon as the frost is well out of the ground. Coal is known to exist in many counties of the State. In all the .southeastern counties it crops out at the surface and is mined. Quite a large amount of bituminous coal, and free from sulphur, is taken out. These beds, however, are only of moderate thickness, and as they are known to lie in the upper coal measures, it is confidently believed that thicker beds lie at lower levels. It has been asserted that coal exists in all the southwestern counties along the Republican river. The surface indications are said to be favorable, but as the settlement of that country has been delayed until the present year, nothing has been done towards the opening up of the mines. The discovery of coal in the valley of the Big Blue, in Seward county, about a mile north of Milford, created quite an excitement in the county at the time, and the quality and thickness of the vein was somewhat exagerated. The developments, however, have not been sufficiently complete to assure the valuable discovery of the genuine article which had been hoped for. Should expectation be realized by the discovery of extensive deposits of coal in this region, the coal will probably be found to belong to the tertiary or lignite coals, known to exist in great abundance in tlie territory westward. It is not believed tliat any extensive disruption and upheaval of the strata has occurred, as would be neces.-ary to bring the coal measures to the surface in this part of the Stare. Some valualjle minerals have been found in different parts of the State, and Seward county comes in for its share. Gypsum is reported to exist in the southern portion of the county, on the Big Blue, and magnesia has been discovered east of Milford, on Middle Creek. A substance resembling chalk, and also a shale making fire-proof paint, is reported to have been found near th^e- line of Lancaster county. The value of none of these deposits has yet been tested by manufacturing, -and general use.. SEWARD — tJRESNVILLE. 13 On tlie east side of the Big Blue river, about two miles north and two miles east of the geographical centre of the county, is situated the town of Seward. At this point Lincoln Creek on the the west, and Plum Creek on the east empty their waters in the Blue River. This is the largest town in the county. "With a thriving population of about two hundred souls, it bids fair to be one of the leading business points in the Blue Valley. The first mill was erected in 1868, by H. L. Boyes, Esq., and manufactured lumber with which the first build- ing was erected during that summer. Mr. Lewis Moffitt, the original proprietor of the town, employed Mr. Thomas Graham, of Camden,, who surveyed and plotted the village of Seward Center, as it was then called. Very little was done toward building up the place that season, and the next year the number of buildings, all told, did not exceed a dozen. In the Spring of 1870 a remarkable change took place. Although there were only about fifty inhabitants in the new town, the people, with indomitable enterprise, determined to have a newspaper publish- ed in their midst, and with a commendable public spirit they advanced the necessary funds from their comparatively slender resources ; and on the sixteenth of March. 1870, the first number of the Nebraska Atlas was issued. This was the pioneer newspaper of the county. — And it is not too much to say that this paper has been more lai'gely instrumental than any other single cause in promoting the advaacc:- ment and prosperity of the town and county of Seward, Before the first settlem.ent of Seward county, a. village h&d been started, a little to the southeast of the present town site of Reward, called Greenville. At that early da,y the effort to build up a town on what the Lidians then determined' tO; hold as their hunting grounds, proved unsuccessful. They were driven off by the red men, and did not return to carry out the project, which, had it been successful would have taken the precedence of all the settlements in the Blue Valley. The first settlers, in this part of the county were in constant jeopardy 14 SEWARD COrXTY. of their lives, but as the population increased tlieir fears lessened, and the wild game principally moving without the pale of civilization, the savages followed, and sought a new hunting ground where the buftaloes roamed in undisturbed freedom, in the valley of the Republican and between that and the Solomon, in Kansas. Then it was that settle- ments again began to be formed in Seward county. None of the Danish Colonists who first projected the town of Greenville are now known by the earliest settlers. Having been driven out, they roamed to other parts of the country in search of other adventures. It is said that they discovered coal on Plum Creek, while endeavoring to build up their town in this vicinity, but the report has never been verified by any explorations since made. Was the first town projected after Greenville, One of the finest fl.our- ing mills in the Blue valley was erected here and building went on encouragingly for a year or two. The town is situated on the Blue, near the southern line of Seward county and about six miles north of Crete, where the B. & M. R. R. crosses the Blue in its route to Fort Kearney. Camden has not grown much for the past year or two, but an effort is now making by some of its citizens to revive its drooping energies, and in connection with parties from theadjacant counties and other parts of the State, they have commenced a suit against the B. & M. company to compel that corporation to relay their track on the original survey. If they succeed, it will have the effect to restore confidence in the future of that town. It is, withal, surrounded by an unexceptionable country, and in the event of a station being made here on the road whicli it is believed will soon be extended up the Blue Valley, Camden will yet figure conspicuously as one of the thriving towns of Seward County. BEAVER CROSSING, Situated in range one east, is another point that will l)e greatly bene^ fited by the hoped for change of route above alluded to. The line of TOWWS — AMI, FORD. 1;'> the road will pass immediately through this projecied town, which is beautifully situated on the north bank of the West Blue. Being situated at the ju]u*^ion of Beaver Creek and tlie West Blue, and on the main road riiiuing east and west m the southern part of the county, it is a natural point for trade. The village has but recently been plotted, but there is fonned, already, the nucleus of a thriving village. One of the best flouring mills in the country, is now completed at this point. Two stores are already doing a large trade and the enterprise manifested in building up the new town, augurs well for its eventual success. Should the line of the railroad be changed so as to run through this new^ town, it will make it one of the principal points from Lincoln to Fort Kearney. Among the many beautiful town sites in Seward county there are none finer than Beaver Crossing. Is the second town in the county, in point of age. Its locatiou is ex- cellent. It is situated on the west bank of the Big Blue, about six miles north of Camden, and on the old steam wagon road from Ne- braska City to Fort Kearney — the mainly traveled thoroughfare west from Lincoln. Tlie best bridge in the county here spans the Blue, and was built entirely by the private enterprise of early settlers in the immediate vicinity. L'ntil recently this place has been recognized as the shire town of Seward county ; but a special law, passed by the Legis- lature of 1870, providing for the "location of county seats unlocated," was construed, by the two Commissioners living in the northern part of the county, to apply to Seward county. An election was accord- ingly called. The County Attorney filed an opinion to the effect that the law could not be so applied ; and in this he was sustained by some of the best legal advice in the State; but the election proceeded. — Milf ;rd was not a point in the contest, her friends considering the election illegal ; but one town was voted upon ; the result declared by the Commissioners was in iis favor, and the county books were remov- 16 SEWAKD COUNTY. ed to that point ; whereupon the Judge of the District Court iasued a mandamus remanding the hooks, and the case awaits the decision of the Court. Surrounded bj a rich agricultural country, Milford must rise to 'be a town of importance. Its merchants are enterprising, and con- ;seo[uently are building up a large trade. With an excellent improved ~water privilege it has one of the iincst flouring mills in the State, and so rapidly are the farmers increasing their crops it already taxes the •capacity of the mill, and the wants of the surrounding country demand .an enlargement. The Blue River is one of the most reliable streams in Nebraska, so far as the average volume of water is concerned ; but it can be most profitably utilized only where the river is bedded with :6tone, and a solid foundation for dams and mills thereby secured. — ■ For one mile above and four miles below Milford, the waters of this river course over solid rock, with suihcient fall to warrant four excel- lent water powers in this distance. Milford being in a bend of the river, there is a profitable water power on each side of it — the upper one being improved to two-thirds its extent by the floui'ing mill before mentioned, Avhile the lower one only awaits capital to develop it. TThe best of wdiite and blue limestone for building purposes is quarried just south of the village, and can be procured at each of the water ■powers. This stone is susceptible of a high polish, and is possessed of those qualities essential in the best stone vrork. Milford has hitherto prided herself upon being the literary town 'of the county, and we are constrained to say that up to this time she lias well earned the reputation ; but she will have rivals hereafter for ■educational pre-eminence, and it becomes her to enlarge her efforts still more to maintain her laurels in that regard ; conse(|uently, she is making a commendable display of progress in this direction. The Teachers' Institute, held during the fall has given a marked impetus to the cause of education there, and the lectures delivered during the course, by some of the best talent in the county and State, manifest in a striking manner the particular interest Avhich the people of that town are taking in this grandest of all human causes — the culture •of the rising generation. B TOWNS — MILFORD. 17 From the fund of the American Congregational Society in the United States, now amounting to several millions of dollars, set apart for the endowment and su^jport of educational institutions throughout the country, a sufficient amount to erect and maintain a college will be given to some point in the interior of Nebraska, and the counties of Seward and York are fovorably mentioned in connection with it. The locating commissioners have adjourned their meeting until June, 1872, meantime making an examination of the several prominent points wliich have made favorable propositions, and taking into consideration facility of access, and all other advantages which an institution of this kind must necessarily require, in order to carry out its true objects in a successful manner. The town of Milford is spoken of as presenting many inducements for the location of an institution of this kind. The grounds set aside for a building site cannot be excelled for beauty, grandeur and position in the State ; it includes fifteen acres of land, on an eminence inclined to the east, bounded on the north by a grove of mammoth sized trees of natural growth, on the east by the Big Blue river, and on the south by the village. From a cupola on a college building of average height could be seen Lincoln, Crete, Camden, Seward, Beaver Cross- ing and Dorchester, and for miles could be scanned the beautiful val- leys, with their varied scenery, of the West and Big Blue rivers. — As a sufficient amount of land for an agricultural department to the college has been oifered, besides a considerable amount in cash, building material, labor, etc., and as one of the Commisson- ers resides near that point, is deeply interested in educational matters, and has undoubted influence with the locating committee, besides the attachment he bears to his own home in Milford, the pros- pects of the latter place are far in advance of any other point, for the establishment of a College under the auspices of the Congregational Society. Should Milford be decided upon as the place for erecting the college, there will probably be an eventual expenditure of at least one hundred thousand dollars, and this alone would build up a thriving 18 i?EWARI> OOUXTV. town, especially one situated in the inidst of a superior agricultural countrv. As we have mud, Milford is next to the oldest town in the county. It has a fine Academy, under the charge' of an efficient principal, a Congregational cliurch and a Baptist church, both of good size and fair })roportions — the first and only ones of these denominations erect- ed in the county, the former constructed in the year 1869— a number of business places, each having a good trade, a newspaper which is contributing in a most efficient manner to the upbuilding of the town and county, besides, as we have remarked before, one of the best mills in the valley. It needs now, only a generous far-seeing })oiicy on the part of those eontroling the future destinies of the town to make it one of the foremost cities of Nebraska. It can be done, — win be done ? The next decade will tell the story for all time to come. If capital is invited and made welcome, if half the town is given away to build the other half, no earthly power can keep it where it is. The great prairies of the west only lack capital and enterprise to build up great cities, and they need one as well as the other. Enterprise will always gather capital around it, and it is always among this class, of people that capital will concentrate. The future of Milford is in her own hands. This town, at present the county town of Seward county, as has been already mentioned, is the nearest tow^n to the geographical centre, and is in a tln-iving eo)idition. Capital is beginning to make itself felt. The dwelling houses are constructed with ta^te, if not with expensive elegance, and the places of business are commodious, and will yie with those of villages of far greater pretensions. This' is the lumber^depot of the county, and hundreds of thousands of feet have been distributed to different parts of the county from this point. It boasts of several brick buildings, and a number more are now in process of erection. This town has always been characterized \)\ the thrift :ind ciiter})rise T()AV.\3 ,- i:\VAi; II. 1^ of its inljabitants. Tliey :i re already tiiklng measures to erect at their own expense, a court house for the county, and a stock company to buihl a high scliool buihling is no^v formed, and measures Avill be taken the present year to carry out the scheme. The building will be of brick, two stories high, and divided into such compartments as will fa- cilitate the original plan. A very fine frame church building with brick foundation, has been recently erected, belonging to the Presby- terian denomination, and will soon be ready for occupancy. It is thirty-live by fifty feet, and reflects much credit on the originators of the design. The Baptists and Methodists will each erect edifices for public worship, another year, and other denominations have also selected their building lots. This substantial proof of interest in the higher moral welfare and religious improvement of the town, will have the stronger tendency to induce a better class of immigration, and Seward will undoubtedly settle up witli a set of inhabitants, which in point of intelligence and moral feeling will in no wise suffer by comparison wdth many of the best towns in the east. We are confirmed in this view by the additions to the ])opulati()-n of the town during the past year. Should this influx of tlie best class continue there need be no fears for Seward in time to come. The intelligent interest manifested in schools is another cause for hopefulness in the future. The number of children now in the district between the ages of five and twenty years, readies nearly one hundred, and it is confidently believed tliat witliin another year Seward will [Support graded schools. With such impulses guiding tlie public spirit, it is easily seen that a bright destiny awaits the young town. Will and energy, with cap- ital, will accomplish almost any result; and it only remains for the capitalists who are now making investments here, to see their interest in its true light, and exhibit a-judicious public^spirit, to enhance the value of their property three-fold, as well as to afford equal aid to ivery citizen who has built uji for himself a home here. One Square jas been set apart for a market space, another f )r a Court House, a 20 SEWARD COUNTY. third for the High School, and in addition to these a hirge park, extending across five blocks, east and west, from Eighth street to Thirteenth street, which is to be filled with trees and shrubbery of all kinds suituable for this climate, and which has now a thick and elegant hedge of osage orange surrounding it, and in summer, when in the full bloom of beauty, is a treasure of surpassing value to the town at large. The proprietors of the town have determined to compete for the establishment of the Congregational College at this place, and have consequently made a proposition to donate forty acres of land as well as several thousand dollars in money to secure this valuable acquisition to the future prospects of Seward. A hundred thousand dollars ex- pended in College grounds and buildings will almost of itself build up a town. Every thing of a stable nature must be encouraged, and every department of industry, as well as education, should be fostered, and particularly manufiicturing industry. It has been found that an ex- cellent quality of brick can be manufactured here, and brick buildings are now going up on every hand. If they were to be had, millions would be consumed every year in the same manner. A party of east- ern capitalists propose erecting a Vv^oolen Manufactory to cost from fifty to seventy-five thousand dollars, provided a sufficient water power is donated to them. The immense advantage of such a manufactory here will be appreciated by the farmers of the county, who fully under- stand that the whole State h- peculiarly adapted to wool growing, and the time is not very far dist:iiit when herds of stock of all kinds and immense flocks of sheep will cover the fine rolling prairies of our whole State. If this can only be understood among our agriculturists, so that their attention can be drawn from the commercial sophistries of this fast age, our railroad monopolies will have very little power to crush out the heart of our farming population with their unblushing claims for government subsidies. The inhabitants of Seward have shown a degree of public spirit in the construction of water works for the town, and the machinery by ROADS. 21 which it is raised adds a fine appearance among tlie other pu1)lic works of this enterprising place. Being the principal business point of the country, and the entrepot of a large trade for York, Butler, Polk, Hamilton and adjacent counties, it already forms a grain market, and supplies for the necessary use of the heavy emigration that is con- stantly pouring in, will be found abundant and extremely moderate in prices. Without extraordinary drawbacks, Seward must become one of the leading towns of the Blue A-^allcy, and it is no stretch of the im- agination to affirm, that within the next decade it will be the most populous city in the interior of the State. Having all the elements of a rapid growth, adding monied as well as other kinds of capital to en- terprise, situated in the midst of the very garden of the State, what can prevent its future importance? ROADS. Like every other part of the State, after leaving the bottom lands of the Missouri valley, the roads are in the finest condition. The soil seems particularly well adapted, not only to construct superior road beds upon, but to continue them good with very little labor. A rain- storm of two hours' duration, and we generally have heavy ones too, will not make the roads impassable as in some countries, and a bright sunshine of an hour or tAvo will dry them and make them passable as before the rain. The old military road from Omaha to Fort Kearney, a distance of one hundred and ninety-seven miles, another road from St. Joseph, in Missouri, through north-eastern Kansas and southern Nebraska to Fort Kearney, the old Steam wagon road from Nebraska City to Fort Kearney, were the three principal routes to Denver, in Colorado, before the construction of the Union Pacific. The old Steam wagon road runs through the southern portion of Seward county, and is still as good a road as when first traveled years ago. As railroads now take the place of our leading thoroughfares throughout the country, these important roads of bye-gone years are used only as the shorter routes from town to town. The B. & M. railroad company have begun the construction of a railroad up and down \LZ SEW.^KD COUNTY. the valley of tlie Bin- Blue, and luive the cars running from Crete, in the northern portion of Saline county, about five miles south of tlie Seward couBty line, to Beatrice, a distance of ab(njt 35 miles. It is understood the road is to be continued north through Seward and Butler counties to intercept with the Union Pacific at Columbus, in Platte count}', and south into the State of Kansas to intersect with the Kansas Pacific. A road running west from Lincoln through the cen- tral portion of Sewai-d county is one of the jirobabilities of the future. One of the greatest needs of Sew^ard county at the j)resent time are bridges across its largest streams. That portion of the tax of the -county appropriated to the road fund will be fully sufficient to jiuike ■bridges over the small creeks and rivulets with which the county abounds, and to keep them in good repair ; ]mt there is not yet enough to build large and substantial bridges, such as every county intei-sected by good sized streams, must of necessity require. A proposition for the judicious expenditure of twenty-five thousand dollars for the purpose of building bridges through the county, which would not only afford facilities for travel on our roads crossing the largest rivers of the county, but greatly enhance the value of real estate, would be cheerfully accepted by the people. All pul)lic improvements, as the intelligent will readily see, adds so much to the pecuniary estimate of real property. And every dollar expended ^)\\ public imjirovements yields a return to every individual member of tlte community who owns the smallest share of soil in the State. These internal improvements will greatlj- enrich the people of Seward county and the non-resident taxes alone, will almost pay for them. SOCIETY. Prol)ably in no county in the State, and particularly among the newly settled ones, is the general society better than it is in Seward county. Generally the rougher class first make their way as pioneers, and get ready for the better class that is to follf)W. While it is true that there are some here, as everywhere else, on the rear ground in the social scale, yet we have among us what is (juite uncommon in the 4(;iU("'i'i/i'ri;.\L ir^ociE'rY. 23 \Vild' prairies of the \vest, the refining infiueiiee &f literarv hidies, the solid and statet?manlike views as well as legal acumen of the bar, the .■sound and ])raetieal wisdom of the medical profession, and even still the high moral, religious and scholarly attainments of the clergy. And we have all this among tlie farmers of Seward county. Step into the primitive cottage homes of some of the young farmei's of Seward, and the eastern- tourist would he taken by surprise to find perchance anu)ng tlit> rubbish of a sod house and all its rough surroundings, the elegant refinement and graceful ease of a higher civilization. " His warm and luimble home, where he enjoys, With her who shares his pleasures ami his heart Sweet converse." This is really true. The remarkable purity of the climate of this State, the comparative ease with which homes may be created and adorned with even the luxuries of the east, have prompted many to come and settle in the valley of the Blue, who, gifted with all the ad- vantages of natural and acquired abilities, yet from physical indisposi- tion have been obliged to remove to new homes where they might enjoy the substantial blessings of healtli. Hence we have settled among na this higher class whose intellectual capabilities confer the truest honor on the inhabitants of ScAvard county. SKWARD AGRICULTURAL BOARD. The Seward County Agricultural Society, organized during the past summer, and through the oflicial management of Mr. Langdon, Esq., the first President, who, indeed, originated the movement to bring about its organization, it has already been placed in a^ prosperous condition. The first fair occurred the past year and gave sanguine hope for the future. Its gratifying results have given encouraging as- surance to those farmers interested in the ultimate success of this agri- cultural enterprise. Seward county can really boast of having- j)i-esented as fine, if not a finei- display than any first agricultural fair in the State. Tlie show of stock was unexpectedly large and fine, and. vet it was ;iseertained that this was iiot the full capabilities of the 24 SEWARD COUNTY. county in this regard ; the several breeds of swine were superior, giving evidence that already the attention of the farmers was directed to this most profitable branch of farming industry. The agricultural products of grains and root crops, must have convinced the most incredulous of the adaptability of the soil of Seward county to the culture of the cereals as well as every other outgrowth of its prolific prairies. The domestic wines, produced by Mrs. E. Herrick, were of such superior quality as to aiford the m.ost convincing proof of the successful culture of the grape, if indeed, this were wanting ; while the ladies' department, pre- senting a display of their handiwork and general housewifery, afforded a complete refutation of the statement that they were in any wise behind the "lords of creation " in all that pertains to the province of woman. The first annual meeting convened in October and elected the fol- lowing gentlemen as officers for the ensuing year : W. W. Cox, - - - - President. ' H. WoRTENDYKE. - - - Vice President. J. A. Brown, - . - - Recording Scc'y. A. L. Strang, - - - - Cor. Sec'y. R. MoCrossen, - - - - Treasurer. E. B. Shafer, Thomas Graham, G. W. Standard, }• Board of Directors. J. W. Lee, Geo. Streeter. It is intended to make the next annual fair an improvement upon this. There is no doubt the present board of officers will carry to maturity the many plans originated by the retiring board. They are all practical farmers, and all stand among our most intelligent citizens, and if they fail to place the society on the high road to prosperity, they will disappoint the expectations of many. The opinion is generally understood among the farming community, that the prosperous condition of this class of our citizens is greatly enhanced by a flourishing society of the farmers of our county. — COCNTY OFFICERS. 25 This is true ; and while a system of premiums awarded for superior products of the country home are encouraging, especially to the younger agriculturists of Seward, we believe that frequent meetings of the Society in convention, for the interchange of the thoughts and experiences of our best producers of stock and grain and fruit, would have a still more excellent influence in elevating the tone of society among our young men who have come to^ this country and taken* homesteads with the intention of making permanent homes here, and settling down to the real, earnest life of farming — the noblest pursuit of man. County officials, The County has no^ been organized nearly seven years, and we give Mow the present officials who were last fall elected for the next two years. The County was set apart, at the last session of the Leg- islature, as a Representative District, and we shall be so represented at the next regular session. The Senate District is composed of Seward and Lancaster counties. Judge of Probate, - - - J. W. Shields. ShcriiF, J. W. McCabe. County Clerk, . - - - Thos. Graham. County Treasurer, - - - M. A. McPherson. Superintendent of Schools, - - Geo. B. France. County Surveyor, - - - - J. H. Anderson. County Coroner, . . - J. M. Evans. TWm. Imlay. Board of Commissioners, - - { Wm. Hornburo, ( D. H. Harris. 26 EEWARB COUNTY. Thus we present to our readers the present situation in Seward Co, With an excellent soil, fine climate, and i:)ure bracinfy atmosphere, and no miasma to be exlialedfrom swamps, breeding fevers in eveij portion ('f th", cfiinif-, : with .streaii:s of pure living water running through ever; township; young forests already growing up spontaneously where the cultivated parts keep out the fires of autumn ; where the intelligent a'i;ri(.ultuvist upholds the dignity of Uil)or, and encourages tlie educated of our country to become well informed tillers of the soil ; ^vhere all. and each one, is imbued Avith the idea that " Life is real, life is earnest," ^ . i.Td'v carries out this sentiment, Sewas'd county has every 'ii!g tA hope for in tlie future; and if her people continue to act with Mic same in: piration (iiat has apparently controlled them in the past, ;iic n. i;io!i of licr future sons and daughters will place her in the front ■fank of the counties of our state. SEWAKJD BUSINESld CAK1>S. 'W la o 1 e ^ a 1 o ai u cl lil, e t m i i i> « ii 1 >is i* IN WiiieSg Liquors and Cigars^ Siunple Ruoiu iu coiiiifctiou witli Store. Seward, - - JVebrasJca. F. M. ELLSWORTH. THOMAS DARNALL. Notary Public. Notary Public. Ellsworth & Darnall, Attorneys at Law. Special Attexxtiosi Given to Cases i^i Bistrict aiici S-apreme Courts. SEIVAIID, - - NEBRASKA. Attorney aiid Counsellor at Law. Taxes Paid, VoKectious Made, and all Businegs entrusted to his Care Promptly attteiided to, LAND MATTERS A SPECIALTY. SEWARD, - - - NEBRASKA. llomeopatluc I'liysician and Surgeon. Office at the Drug Store,, 31EWARP, NEBRASKA. 28 SEWARD MILLS. Banner Mills. Proprietorb-: « ii» b©thl® a s#ir These are the only Mills in the north jaart of Seward county, and the Flour hitherto manufactured here has been pronounced unsur- passed in the State. The watei' power is abundant, and the Has nearly completed the manufacture of most of the native lumber in this part of the county. • The Seward iVIills Are now undergoing a th.orough repairing for the Spring business, and will hav« a capacity fi, - JUTEBRASKA, SEIVAKD LUMBER DEALERS. 29 SEWARD LUHBER DEPOT. OltlF'F'IlX &; r»^^I«, I«H, DEALERS IN Pine and Native Lnmljei', Biaclt Walnnt. &c. The Proprietors keep constantly on hand, at tlieir yard m 'Seward, a full supply of building material in their line, of the very best quality, such as Sash, Fencing, Styddsng, CeiSing, f^oyWangs, Framing Timber, Bfiinds^ Shingles, Sheathing, Doors, Fiooring, Door Casings, PBastering Hair, Plaster Paris, Paints, Oils, Putty, Nails, etc., etc., etc. Our prices are moderate — in fact, we can afford to sell as cheaply .as any lumber market in the State. We will duplicate bills at the River, transportation only added. We buy for casli and SELL FOR CASH ONLY. ,€all and examine our stock and satisfy yourselves of Oiir low rates SEWAED, ,- - NEBRASKA. 3® SEVv'AUD BUSI.VESS CARDS. li., G^ 50H Architect and Builder. Plans and Specifications Furaished for Buildings of any Design. SEWARD, - - NEBRASKA. J. R. PAUL, DEALER IN HOUSE FUENISHmG GOODS OF ALL KINDS. The latest styles and best ({iiality of Furnitni-c constantly on hand and FOR SALE at hi.s establishnaent. Call and examine his elegant stock of Tables f Bureaus, ami Stands, And make a selection to suit your taste. Corner Sixth and South Streets, one block south of Market Squar< Clean! If JEtoonis, Generous Tables ^ and Beasonable Terms charaeterize this House. A Good Stable and Livery Attached to the House. BEWARD BUSINESS CARDS. 81 MRS. E. WALKER, Agent for the [iipr®Yed Siii|er Sewiiii laeMiie, SEWARD, - - NEBRASKA. MINSHALL & BUCK, Dealer in staple :ind fancy M® E® ^^ ^S- €^ €^ '^- m ^ Ready-made Clothing, Boots, Shoes, Hats and Caps, Groceries, and general line of Merchandise. SEWARD, - - NEBRASKA. A. L. STRANG, State Agent, Manufacturers of Haliaday's Patent Wind-Pfaills, Farm Puraps. Feed Mills, Etc., Etc., Etc. SEVVARU, - NEBRASKA. S. E. GANDY, DEALER IN Hardware, Stoves & Tin Ware,. Housefurnisking Goods, and Agricultural Implements. 32 OKNERAL MERGHANDISB. OPEN TO THE WORLD AI^B ALL MANKIND. Seward Trading iepot. Seward, f^ebraska. MiwiE leiiM®^ mm mm wmmmmMB'EM^ FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS' \yOllTH of the most fashionable, best and seasonable Clothing f Famishing Goods, Hats, Caps, Moot^ and Shoes f Trunks , Valises, &c,, DRT G90DB, 6E0GEEIES, Tin Ware, Hardware, Call and see us, at Seward. MILFORD MILLS. 83 M: I X^ F O Pt I> IFLOXJPillVO MILLS. J. L Davisori &. Co., Proprietors. — ^— c These Mills were established in 1867, and enlarged to three times theif formfei* size in 1870, and by the introduction of improved ma- chinery have established a wide deputation for the Manufacture of all kinds of Flour of the most approved quality, which is commonly known as the "legal tender" of Nebraska. The proprietors are prepared to furnish the trade on liberal terms. Custom work promptly and satisfactorily done. the; s^^>v ]^ii^l Has been undergoing change of machinery in order to supply the demand for the great variety of work in this line required for build- ing purposes. A turning lathe, and other machinery, will soon be added, to supply the need in this direction. The proprietors will spare no pains to keep' up improvements in machinery and work throughout all departments of the mills, to sup- ply the increasing demand of the country and a large trade. The motto of the firm is : "Improve at every turiv of tlie Wheel." And the patrons will reap the benefits of their patronage. THE ATTENTION OF FLOUR AnD FEED DEALERS INVITED. Custom WorJe a Specialty, J, L. DAVISON & CO, Milford, Neb, .JSTNEbo i^^^i.^Ts'. G. B. FRAiyCE, Co. Sup't. Public Instruction of Seward Co., Attorney at 'Lb.w aad Notairy Public. Real Estate and Collecting Agent. Special attention given to cases in District and Supreme Courts. D. C. HcKILLIP, A^ttoT-nay at IL.fi^v aiitl Motar.T l*Jit>lie, Beal Estate and Collecting Agent. Special attention given to cases in District and Supreme Courts. Dealer in Frnit Trees & lieeeral Nursery Stock Of the most reliable varieties, at competing prices with any other agency. MlL^ORB, Seward Co., NEBRASKA. Agent fur the Reliable Q u i n c y Plow, Manufactured by Bafctell & Collins, Quincy, 111. lilitEAItllVGS^, STIItltllVO & CORIV PLOWS, MILFORD, - - NEBRASKA. HOTEL, STAGE LINE, ETC. FRiSBEE HOUSE, Miiford, Nebraska. 4- good table, pleasant accommodations, >nd an obliging liost and ;lio8tess characterize this House. The patronage of travelers and otliers respectfully solicited. A. FRISBEE, Proprietor. To Travelers in flekaska. The undersigned invites attention to the Stage Line from LIN- COLN TO MILFORD, Beaver Crossing, and points west. It is the best line west from Lincoln, and passengers will be conveyed to any point in Seward, York, Fillmore and Hamilton counties at as low rates and in quicker time than by any other route. At Miiford this line connects with a route direct to York Center, York Co. Stage Leaves the Doufflas House, Zineoln, on Tues- days, Thursdays and Saturdays, Of each week, and returns from Miiford on the following day. THE LARGEST ASSOETMENT OF GOODS IN SEWARD CO. J. BKTTIMCER^ DEALER IN i Dry Goods, Groceries, Hardware, Tinware, Farmer's Implements, and General Merchandise, Goods shipped direct from St. Louis, and sold at competing prices with any store west of the Missouri Ri^^er. TO FARMERS AND OTHBRS. FARMS MADE VALUABLE AT SLIGHT EXPENSE • Get the NORTH -WESTEM flD 1 For supplying your farm with water, and for cutting and grinding feed. etc. THE BEST S^BLL I'^OW m USE. Why ? Because — 1st, Its construction is so simple that it is less likely to get out of order ; 2d, Its wheel ahvays faces the wind ; 3d, It rune in the lightest breeze ; 4th, It takes care of itself in the se- verest storms ; 5th, It is a complete self- regulator ; 6th, Its fans can ho set at any angle to the wind ; 7th, It can be stopped or started from the ground ; 8th, It has no chains, cords or pulleys to freeze up, double up, and refuse to move ; 9th, It is sold at a less price than; any other mill of the same capacity. MANUFACTURED AT DIXON, ILL. .1. COUBTBIGHT, Agent, - MILFOItn, JS'eb. ^W Mr mm. i -# ^M^ 'm^^^^m^ SHRUBS, PLANTS AND VINES OF ALL VARIETIES, SUIITKB TO MUBR^ASKA. Save your labor, time and money by buying of old and well es- tablished Nurseries, and trusting your orders to tried and reliable men. There are Bearing .Orchards in Nebras|ca from Neally, Bock & Bingham's "Bird's Nest Nurseries,'-' Burlington, Jowa, (established in 1846), and at his semi-annual deliveries in Lincoln, Ashland, Crete, Milford, etc., Offers the best of stock from the above nurseries at the mos|; reasona- ble prices. All stock warranted to be in good condition on delivery. M. M. Davison and R; k J. Nigtingale, A^-ents for Sew^ri] Co. CAMDEN — LINCOLN. 37 O .^ 3J[ 33 E IN" ^ T O It IrZ . D. H. HAREIS, Proprietor. Dry Goods and C r o c e r i e s - A good stock always on lianJ. Drugs and Patent Medicines kept in stock. CAMiy£!jV, Heward Co., WBBMASKA, DOU(>LAS HOUSE. GE0E6E DOUGLAS, Proprietor. {f'orinaiy of the loivnUy House.) Corner llth and P Streets, - LINCOL^^^ NEB. Transient Board, ^2 per day. Accommodations for one hundred and fifty guests. Situated in the heart of the business portion of the city. Stage oiHcc for all parts of the State. W. F. CHAPII\I, Late of U, S, Land Office, Attorney at I^aw. - Ijineolii, ]^el>. CORNER llTH AND M STREETS. Special attention paid to Homestead and Pre-emption cases. Att'y at Law, Will practice in all the Courts in the State, and in the \J. S Land Ortice, at Jjincoln. Good German spoken \n the Office. t^^ MILFORD, HlU'tmi, SIB. ■ ♦ • The town of Milford, in Seward County, Nebraska, presenty H« ^i-eat inducements To Business ien To engage in a profitable and reliaide business as any other phvce in the State. It naturally conti'ols a very large trade, is located on an unexceptionable town site in the midst of the most fertile section of the Blue Valley, possesses a first-class grist and saw Mill, lias abundant water-power, has flattering railroad prospects, and is now- lacking in sufficient mercantile establishments to properly sujiply the trade that is attracted to it. A €A:^1>1I> €©M"rAMI^€>M Of its claims or inducements with those of other towns is invited. All questions relative to the place, its condition and prospects, and inquiries for information with regard to the surrounding country, promptly and truthfully answered. COERESFONDENOE SOLICITED. CULVER & PARSONS, Milford, Nebr, Dealers in MILFORD, NEBR. The best_.stoek of Stationery in the County, which will be sold at the most reasonable prices. An}' style of Legal Blank nrocured ^-^ TLA v/ ^^MW''^^ \ NEBRASKA ATLAS And People's^ JToiiriial. THIRD YEAR. The Nebraska Atlas is now enlarged to an eight column paper, and issued under the name of The Nebraska Atlas and People's Journal, 0. S. Ingham, A. M., Editor, and Wm. 0. Clojd, Publish- ei-. It is independent in politics, reserving the right to offer impar- tial criticisms on men and measures. It will contain the following departments : Political News, Literary, Educational, Ag^ricuitural, Juvenile, Masonry, and ^ Odd Fellowship- Single copies, per annum, - - - . | 2.00 ^'^ - - '. . . ^^^^ Ten '' to one address .and one copy to the getter up of the club, - - - . . 15 Q0 ■— -»— The Atlas & Journal office has connected with it one of the most complete Jobbing Departments south of the Platte River. AnytJiing in the line of Job Work will be done promptly, on reason- able terms and in the most a})proved style. SEWARD, NEBRASKA. i LIBRARY OF CONGRESS ^X'- IS ii: 016 087 789 3 <.?K't J •* - - t'* *■ :'* •' ' NEWSPAPER AND JOB PRIUTIMG ESTABLISSMEiw:. 'IHE BLUE VALLEY RECOR^ i^ ,f tiie best records of • Lj)oal, .State ^aiid General News / .; r • i . „ \ , ' • > i»ublisliea'iri Nebr^f^ka/ It hr*« reUa:ble and energetic correspond- .entsirfall parts of Seward •o.^mity, and in adjoiriing counties,, and ^ is a^refullY niade.-up.in its di%rent departments of nevss.. Devotes .■ttJrisiderable-attent4on- to*" hon^e and , foreign markets, and in every - Ut" endeavors t^ make Itself an acceptable family journal to all • 4-eskents.bf, or tho!^e.in.tor«Med in,.^^ebraska. Published at *$he Record has a large j»nd rapidly increasin-g circulation, espe- f'cJaily. in." the c^tiriti^s of^ Seward, York and Hanrikon, and offers •kvantage(^to advertiseVs ' silperior |p those of any other paper in '■'its %ectiqn of the. State;' ° .. i*'fbS.''fafcilitiQ5Vnd ability of the Record establishment to execute .Vkiit^^B'of-JHb work. are unsurpassed. Pamphlet printing, legal I^jiuks^fete^Ueads, bill-heads, card^, cirt;ulars, et6., made ^ special- TERMS OF THE RECORD [ • ditiaj^y, ^ne year. SJ *■*. *^ r.'6nc copy; six months', ^ ' - •'X->H>-;%w*''''- . ■ . CULVER & P. . '•ft' •' ■ . . — — P.OO; 1.00. ARSONS. E(li.tor$ and Proprietors [I