Copyrighted 1906 by H. W. Foght and W. W. Haskell. The Author. Trail of The Loup i* Being ow to be sought. If the above supposition is correct, it stands to reason that the deposits of the age, which were all of them submarine, could not have been formed in Nebraska, hence we find our Permian rocks directly overlaid by rocks of the Cretaceous period. During these numberless centuries of dry land existence in Nebraska, 'On either side Was level fen, a prospect wild and wide, With dykes on either hand, by ocean self-supplied. For on the right the distant ocean was seen. And salt the springs that fed the marsh between.' A seventy-five foot Mosasaurus from the Cretaceous beds of Kansas. PHYSICAL FEATURES 21 And yet the marsh was slowly becoming upland, though the climate was still moist and warm. A tropical vegetation of myriad species of giant ferns and noble cycads again clad the land with brilliant hues. These im- mense thickets and forests teemed with animal life. Most striking were the giant Brontosaurus of the Wyoming fossil beds, often measuring 60 feet in length ; the Atlantosaurus, which reached the phenomenal length of 80 feet; and the lately dicovered gigantic Stegosaurus, remarkable for a series of huge bony plates mounted along the back. As if these curious creatures were not enough to give character to the time we find uncanny, birdlike reptiles, pterosaurs, swarming the upper air and adding much to this the strangest and most interesting of faunas. Nebraska forest of late Cretaceous times. The Cretaceous period marks the beginning of the end of the Mesozoic Era. A general subsidence now set in which seems to have embraced even the Rocky Mountain region. The latter, together with the eastward-lying plain, was once more brought to the water level. A marine bay broke northward from the Gulf of Mexico and, before the middle of the period, covered Texas. Indian Territory, part of Kansas the western half of Nebras- ka, and much territory lying northwestward. Thus the Rocky Mountain nucleus was again reduced to groups of islands, as in Paleozoic times, and all western Nebraska 22 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP was once more, tho now for the last time, a part of the ocean bed. 'Toward the later part of the period the continent slowly rose again and the great western internal sea was narrowed and made shallow, the connection between the Gulf ana the Arctic Seas was interrupted, lakes of fresh water, bays and swamps with brakish water, took the place of the ocean, and vast quantities of vegetable matter were formed in the marshes of this closing epoch.' But this was more than a period of emergance; indeed a great geologic revolution was preparing. From the plains on the east to the Wasatch, the entire Rocky Mountain region was thrown into a series of earth folds; the crust was bent and the mountain system, as we have it today, was lifted up, getting a drainage seaward. Nebraska now faced eastward, a part of the continental plain. Tusks of Mammoth excavated in Gosper County, and now in the Museum of the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. The Cretaceous deposits in Nebraska are of vast extent and import- ance. For convenience the strata have been classified into the following groups: The Dakota, extending from near Dakota City, where many out- croppings are to be found, in a south-westerly direction, underlying practi- cally every part of the state; the Fort Benton Group, lying conformably on the Dakota Group in the eastern part of the state; the Niobrara Group, ex- tending from the mouth of the Niobrara River, dipping under the central portion of the state and reappearing again in the southwest in Harlan county; the Fort Pierre Group lying above the Niobrara deposits, cropping out in Knox county and other places; the Laramie Group, exposed in southwestern counties. These beds comprise various clays, chalks and sandstones, and are rich PHYSICAL FEATURES 23 in finds of fossil leaves and remains of animal life. Thus several hundred species of ferns, cycads and conifers have been counted, and some hundred or more reptile forms, ranging in size from twelve to seventy-five feet are known to have existed. The last great aeon in geological history is now at hand. This is the Cenozoic Time, or Era of Modern Life. A higher vegetation makes its ap- pearance and the great reptiles are rapidly giving way to higher species of animal life— the mammals. For convenience this aeon is divided into two ages, the Tertiary and the Quaternary. The Tertiary Age embraces three epochs, the Eocene, the Miocene and the Pliocene. Of these only the latter two are represented in Nebraska. Frum oui discussion above it will be borne in mind that over the western part of the continent the region of marine waters was past. The Rocky Mountain revolution had left the Great Plains a part of the continent. But Jurassic Stagosaurus which flourished in Wyoming and Colorado while Nebraska was an inland sea. It measured from 25 to 30 feet in length this plain was yet very near the sea level, the proof of which is found in the existence of vast lakes of fresh water botn east and west of the Rocky Mountain range. These were not, however, contemporaneous, but succeed- ed one another as the age proceeded. Thus, in Nebraska we find no trace of Eocene lake beds. Conditions were on the other hand quite changed during Miocene times; for then a freshwater lake covered much of the western part of the state, receiving the drainage of the rivers that now have their outlet in the Missouri. Into this lake bed were carried broken down materials from the Rocky Mountain axis and the Black Hills, and from the higher lying Juro-Triassic and Cretaceous deposits. Hither, too, were gathered, as in an immense cemetery, remnants of all the vegetable and animal life of the epoch. A gradual uplifting of strata has left these lake bottoms high and dry. Erosion too has changed their contour much, cut- ting valleys, leaving cliffs and buttes in endless variety. These Mauvais Terres of the French trapper, or "Bad Lands" are today 24 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP clearly defined in the White River Country of northwestern Nebraska, and covers hundreds of square miles in southwestern South Dakota and north- eastern Wyoming. The writer has personally inspected these regions, and nowhere is the story of the past told in more forcible language than in this vast graveyard. Banks full of fossil bones, baccolites, huge petrified tor- toises, and fossil leaves tell the story of how Nebraska looked in those times. Magnolias, oaks, palms, figs, maples, lindens and pines grew in wild luxuriance, and the giant sequoias of California grew on every hill. Indeed, a semi-tropical vegetation stretched far away towards the Pole. Droves of Miocene horses frequented the lake shores, the ancestral hog wallowed in the bogs, flocks of monkeys chattered in the treetops, and plain and forest were the haunt and breeding ground of droves of huge masta- Titanotherium Robustum from the Sioux County Bad Lands. When full grown it measured 14 feet in length and 8 feet in height at the shoulders. dons and wicked-eyed rhinoceroces and tapirs. Such were then the Ma-koo- si-tcha, or hard-lands-to travel over, as the Sioux nomad has seen fit to dps- ignate these reigons. The Pliocene Epoch of the Tertiary Age is marked by a general enlarge- ment of the old Miocene lake bed, particularly eastward and south westward. The Pliocene strata in Nebraska far outreach the Miocene and are, on this account, found to overlie the Cretacious from the central counties east. These beds were of considerable thickness but thin out eastward since the bulk of the materials forming them came from the mountains. Much of the Pliocene material is exceedingly coarse. Beds of conglomerate rock, made up "of waterworn pebbles, feldspar and quartz in masses, and some PHYSICAL FEATURES 25 small pieces or chips of all the Archian rocks" overlie beds of much worn sandstones and clays. Along the Loup Forks, and in other localities, the upper beds have be- come decomposed and an immense amount of fine sand of a more or less stable nature has heaped up to form the famous "sand hills." Beneath lie strata of compacted gravel; then come limestone formations, yellow Fine Loess Formation in Garfield County. grits and layers of many colored sands and clays. In many places on the North Loup River calcarious outcroppings are seen. Such are the bottom rocks forming the "Falls of the Loup " the sandstones and limestones forming the channel bottom near old Willow Springs in Garfield county, and again near Scotia in Greeley county. With the close of the Tertiary Age and the opening of the Quaternary 26 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP Age a great change came over the earth. In Nebraska the lakebeds grad- ually drained out, and there is evidence to show that the serai-tropical con- ditions which had so long existed were now undergoing changes. Arctic conditions began to prevail at the north, gradually extending into what is now the North Temperate zone , pushing, as it were, both fauna and flora equatorward. Much of the old life was exterminated or forced to give way before the rigors of the Glacial Period which was now preparing. For reasons which it does not come within our province to discuss here the temperature of Noith America gradually fell so low that the snows of winter accumulated too rapidly for the summer's warmth to remove. The result was a glaciation of vast land areas. A great ice sheet, forced by its own weight, slowly moved southward, enfolding the earth in its em- brace. In the west we know that it extended almost to the 36th degree north latitude. Traces of the ice movement in Nebraska are abundant. Along the Missouri wherever the superficial deposits are removed the un- derlying limestone beds are worn smooth as glass and are full of glacial scratches and flutings. Indications are that the drift covered at least the eastern one third of the state. Here are found the beds of blue clay so characteristic of this period; and in strata above these, drift gravel and clay, and next above gravel and water worn boulders of various size. After countless ages of polar winter an era of general subsidence took place in the glaciated regions; a great increase in humidity resulted and the ice mantle began to melt and recede. Immense floods were raging in the valleys and the continent from glacier edge to the gulf was converted into an inland sea, full of floating icebergs, which drifting aimlessly about, when they melted, dropped their immense loads of sand gravel and boulders to the lake bottom. These floods covered all of Nebraska with the excep- tion of the Miocene beds of the White River region and the western uplands and a few of the highest crests of the Pliocene deposits which lay too high to be reached by the engulfing waters. The Miocene or Pliocene forma- tions, known to us by such names as Scott's Bluffs and Chimney Rock must, in those times, have been so many islands set in a turbulent sea. The entire Loup region was submerged throughout this period, receiving then those loess-clay deposits which have made it one of the most fertile regions in the state. A change in level now set in. "The farther retreat of the glaciers and the elevation of eastern Iowa reduced the area of this great lake. What had been a great interior sea of turbulent waters now became a system of placid lakes that extended from Nebraska and Western Iowa at intervals to the Gulf." The Missouri, Platte and other well known streams of today drained through them, carrying immense loads of ground-up Pliocene and Cretacious materials suspended in the muddy water. In the course of vast ages the lake beds became filled with this mud (loess) and, after passing through the stage of bog and marsh, be- came dry land. Vegetation soon covered the virgin earth ; and this from its annual decay and accumulation of debris gave us the rich surface loam so characteristic to Nebraska. PHYSICAL FEATURES 27 The chains of river bluffs familiar to every Nebraskan were heaped up while the river yet filled the whole trough from bluff to bluff, and, in fact, while these bluffs themselves were under water. They were in a way piled up on the flanks of the raging, mud-currying flood current, as the glacial flood declined the waters gradually fell below the top of the bluff forma- tion, and the first terrace or upper bench of the valley flood plain appeared. The waters continued falling and the river dwindled down to a mere run, leaving the valley terrace above terrace, bench above bench. Thus in Ne- braska river basins there are often found three and even four such "bot- toms." The terrace building at an end, recent time is well along and geo- logical history need be pursued no further. The earth, topographically speaking, must have had practically its present day appearance; vegeta- tion covered hill and valley; the highest orders of mammalia roamed over it and man took possession of it. In Nebraska, indeed, we find traces of a pre-glacial race of man. Discoveries of stone implements, and then chiefly flint arrow heads and spear-heads, have been made deep in undisturbed loess beds, side by side with bones of the mastodon and huge elk of this period. We may thus with some reason presume that man roamed the Ne- braska plains ages before the advent of the long glacial winter. From the foregoing pages it may be nuted that in Nebraska forma- tions older than the Pliocene are nowhere exposed excepting the Miocene deposits in the "Bad Lands" of the northwest. The former, indeed, are represented only in a few isolated neighborhoods in the western part,\vhere lofty "buttes" uf Pliocine formation tower high above the flood plain. The remainder of the state is covered with glacial drift and loess, the drift be- ing confined to the eastern third. The loess clay forms a soil of inex- haustible fertility, and ranges in thickness from 5 to 200 feet. Nebraska, the Land of Shallow Water, lies at the geographical center of the United States, and is bounded by parallels 40 : and 43' North and longi- tude 95 c 20' and 104° West. The extreme length of the state from east to west is 420 miles, and its breadth from north to south is 208.5 miles. In area it comprises 77,510 square miles, or 49,606,400 acres, of which nearly 500,000 acres represent water. The state stretches from the foothills of the Rockies to the Missouri, having a gentle eastward slope. The western half averages more than 2,500 feet above the sea, to only 1,200 feet for the eastern half. Scott's Bluffs reach the height of fully 6,000 feet, while Richardsor county is only 878 feet above the sea. Nebraska is drained entirely by the Missouri and its tributaries. Of the latter the most important are the Platte and the Niobrara, which flow through valleys extending the length of the state from west to east. The Republican comes from western Kansas and, after draining much of the "South Platte Country," returns again to that state. The Elkhorn and, farther west, the Loup are the only important northern tributaries of the Platte. The latter, with its three forks, the North, Middle and South Loup, flows from an interesting lake region in Cherry 28 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP county and empties into the Platte just above Columbus. This river system will presently be treated more in full. The climate of Nebraska is dry and exhilarating. It is subject to sudden changes in temperature, the thermometer being known to have varied from 114° to 42°. The mean temperature for January is, however, 19.7°, for July 74.8°. The nights are for the most pare cool and refreshing. Ne- braska autumns are delightful, the period from early frost till well toward Christmas is peculiar for its mellow, hazy atmosphere — crisp and bracing — this is the well known "Indian Summer Time." The annual rainfall is 23 inches, most of it falling east of the 100th meridian. The moisture is indeed very unevenly distributed. In the eastern half it averages 30 inches and locally it has gauged as high as 50 inches. In the western half it averages a little more than 19 inches, though on the extreme western border it scarcely reaches 10 inches. Most of the rainfall occurs between April and September, the greatest amount falling in May and June. As is peculiar to the great continental plain, the weather is very change- able. Snow storms, or "blizzards, " may in winter burst with scarcely any warning, and rage with sudden fury over the prairie which but a few moments before lay bathed in brightest sunshine. Occasional hot winds have in summer repeatedly injured the growing crops. It is only justice, however, to add that Nebraska, east of the 99th meridian is as "safe" for agricultural purposes as any state in the union. West of this line it is better adapted for grazing purposes, where not irrigated. Nebraska climate is extremely healthful. 'The stranger settling within the state can- not help noticing a general quickening of spirit and a strange increase of vitality. His appetite becomes voracious, and he sleeps as never before. The dry, continental climate is surcharged with an invigorating ozone which acts as a new life vigor to him who comes into it from the malaria and ague ridden districts of other states.' To the travelling public not intimately acquainted with its topography Nebraska is a part of the Great Plains — this, and no more. Tourists have passed through the state from east to west and pronouced it a monotonous, tiresome prairie. But such impressions are at best faulty and do our great commonwealth injustice. A birdseye view would disclose a varied scene of rich valley and grassy upland, of broad basin and rolling water- shed. The surface is indeed varied. The river valley, ranging in width from a few hundred yards to miles, is usually wooded along the river bank. Beyond the rich alluvial or sometimes sandy bottom lands lie the chain of border bluffs, steep or rounded and often of considerable height. These once passed, a gently undulating watershed meets the eye, stretching per- haps for scores of miles, or again may be for but a very brief distance, to be cut by a second bluff chain, the border of another water course. The northwest is wild and broken but extremely picturesque — this is the Bad Lands. The Niobrara basin is in great part gently undulating; along the river are many almost romantic spots. Here limestone out- PHYSICAL FEATURES 29 croppings and pine-growths make one forget that this is a prairie state. To the south of the Niobiura are the "sandhills," which are mostly great dunes of Pliocene sands fantastically heaped up. This great region, which by the way, affords excellent range for cattle-grazing is gradually being covered with grasses and shrubs, and will no doubt in time become fit for agriculture. These hills with their grasses and wild flowers, occasional "blowouts" and reed-grown lakes give one an impression of a country yet in the making. The valley of the Platte is of a sandy nature near the river ned, but, as it recedes is transformed into a fertile, rising plain north and south, losing itself in wavy undulating farmlands, as rich as found anywhere in the country. Westward the state changes from rich prairie, so well adapted to agriculture, to dry plains and sage covered foothills, the typical range country of the west. Toward the southeast are excellent farm lands, beautiful water courses and wooded lowlands. On the eastern border winds the "Big Muddy" through its great flood plain, with chains of towering bluffs' on either side — bluffs remarkable for their changeful beauty. "Occasionally," says Professor Aughey, "an elevation is encountered from whose summit there are such magnificent views of river, bottom, forest and winding bluffs as to produce all the emotions of the sublime." "There are many landscapes everywhere of wonderful beauty along all the principal rivers. The bluffs are sometimes precipitous, but generally they round off and melt into gently rolling plains. They constantly vary, and in following them you come now into a beautiful cove, now to a curious headland, then to terraces, and however far you travel you can look in vain for a picture like the one just passed." The Aborigines. CHAPTER II. "The land was ours this glorious land — With all its wealth of wood and streams; Our warriors strong of heart and hand. Our daughters beautiful as dreams. When wearied at the thirsty noon, We knelt us where the spring gushed up, To take our Father's blessed boon - Unlike the white man's poison cup." — Whittier — "The Indian Tale." THE fir.-^t mention of Nebraska Indians by white explorers comes from the pen of Father Jaques Marquette. In June, 1673, that devout Christian worker and missionary, accompanied by Louis Joliet, embarked upon his great exploring trip of the "Father of Waters." Fired byarelig- ious enthusiasm and by a determination to convert the Algonquin tribes roaming its banks, he made the perilous descent as far south as the Red "River. From his account of this momentous expedition we draw many a thrilling picture of hair breadth escapes and dramatic scenes. Interesting to our narrative is Marquette's description of the hitherto unknown Missouri country. The voyagers were rapidly approaching the mouth of the great western tributary, when, to quote from that Reverend Father's account, "we heard a great rushing and bubbling of waters, and soon beheld small islands of floating trees coming from the mouth of the Pekitanoni (the Missouri) with such rapidity that we could not trust ourselves to go near it. The waters of this river are so muddy that we could not drink it. It so discolors the Mississippi as to make the navigation of it dangerous. This river comes frem the northwest and on its banks are situated a num- ber of Indian villages." In a most interesting chart of the expedition, now in the archives at Montreal, Marquette locates, in what is now Kansas and Nebraska, the following Indian villages: The Ouemessouriet (Missouri), the Kenza (Kansas), the Ouohatre (Osage), the Paneassa (Pawnee), and the Maha (Omaha). r l hat his information was indeed surprisingly accurate is seen from this that French explorers found these very tribes in relatively the same position as indicated in the chart nearly 200 years later. Lewis and Clark, in the expedition of 1804, found Pawnees, Missouris and Otoes in possession of the Platte, the Poncas near the mouth of the Niobrara and the Omahas in the northeastern Dart of the state, centering 6Z THE TRAIL OF THF LOUP around what is now Sioux City. The Pawnees were then the dominant tribe of the we&tern prairie, the others here mentioned being treated as wards and dependents. Their original home seems to have been somewhere in the lower Red River Valley in Louisiana, where they formed the chief tribe of the important Gaddoan stock. At an early date several of these tribes migrated northward. Thus the Arikari moved by way of the Missouri, penetrating far into North Dakota. Sometime later the Skidi (Wolves) advanced north waid and halted at the Platte, there to be overtaken by the Pawnees proper. The Pawnees called themselves Skihiksihiks, or "men par excellence. " The popular name, and the one most in vogue, is Wolf People. They were a warlike and powerful nation, claiming the whole region watered by the Platte from the Rocky Mountains to its mouth. They held in check the powerful Kiowas of the Black Hills and waged successful war against the Comanches of the Arkansas. From an early day we find them divided into four grand divisions, or clans, having distinct government though with language in common. There were the Shani, or Grand Pawnees with villages on tne south bank of the Platte, opposite the present Grand Island: the Kitkehaki, or Republican Pawnees, on the Republican in northern Kansas; the Pitahauerat, or Noisy Pawnees, also on the Platte; and the Skidi, or Loup (Wolf) Pawnees on the Loup Pork of the Platte. Here they lived in well built log houses, covered with turf and earth, preferring these to the movable tepee, which was only used when the bands were on an extended hunt. They depended more on horticulture, the raising of corn and pumpkins, than upon the buffalo hunt. In this manner they never outgrew the sedentary and agricultural habits peculiar to all southern tribes. Lieutenant Zebulon Pike's exploring expedition, when on its way to the mountains in 1806, encountered the Republican Pawnees in northern Kansas. This was a few years before they moved north to join their brothers already established on the Loup Forks. Lieut. Pike and his aid Lieut. Wilkinson held a grand council with the chiefs of that nation on the 29th of September, which is interesting to us. as it gives an idea of the northward limit of Spanish activity at that time. The council is described in the following language: "The council was held at the Pawnee Republic village (near the present site of Scandia in Republic county) and was attend- ed by 400 warriors. When the parties assembled for their council, Lieut. Pike found that the Pawnees had unfurled a Spanish flag at the door of the chief, one which had lately been presented by that government, through the hands of Lieut. Malgoras. To the request of Lieut. Pike that the flag should be delivered to him, and one of the United States hoisted in its place, they at first made no response; but, upon his repeating his demand, with the emphatic declaration that they must choose between Americans and Spaniards and that it was impossible for the nation to have two fathers, they decided to put themselves, for the time, at last, under American pro- THE ABORIGINES 33 tection. An old man accordingly rose, went to the door, took down the Spanish flag and laid it at the feet of Lieut. Pike, and in its stead elevated the stars and the stripes." Anotfher expedition was sent out by the War Department in 1819, for the purpose of gaining a more thorough topographical knowledge of the central region of the great Louisiana purchase. This was the Long Expedition. Leaving "Engineer Cantonment" just below Council Bluffs on the 10th of Jane, it crossed the Missouri near the site of Omaha and struck boldly across the "Indian Country." And indeed there was nothing just then to fear from the Indians, as treaties of amity had lately been entered into by government agents and the leading tribes along the route. One was ratified with the Pawnees as early as January 5, 1812, one with the Mahas, December 26, 1815, and one with the Otoes, December 26, 1817. Major Long's instructions read to see that the treaties were strictly lived up to by redskin and white man alike. In the course of his westward advance he made it a point to visit the Pawnee villages. His account has it that after crossing the Elkhorn he trailed along the north bank of the Platte till the confluence of the Loup was reached. At sunset, June 10th, the expedition went into camp at a small creek about eleven miles' distant from the village of the Grand Pawnees. Then in Major Long's account of the visit we read : "On the following morning, having arranged the party according to rank, and given the necessary instructions for the preservation of order, we proceeded forward, and in a short time came in sight of the first of the Pawnee villages. The trail on which we had travelled since leaving the Missouri had the appearance of being more and more frequented as we approached the Pawnee towns; and here, instead of a single footway, it consisted of more than twenty parallel paths, of similar size and appear- ance; at a few miles distance from the village, we met a partv of eight or ten squaws, with hoes and other implements of agriculture, on their way to the corn plantations. They were accompanied by one young Indian, but in what capacity— whether as assistant., protector or taskmaster, we 'were not informed. After a ride of about three hours we arrived before the village, and dispatched a messenger to inform the chief of our approach. "Answer was returned that he was engaged with his chiefs and warriors at a medicine feast, and could not, therefore, come out and meet us. We were soon surrounded by a crowd of womenand children, who gazed at us with some expressions of astonishment; but as no one appeared to welcome us to the village, arrangments were made for sending'on the horses and baggage to a. suitable place for encampment while Major Long with several gentlemen who wished to accompany him, entered the village. The party after groping about for some time and traversing a considerable part of the village, arrived at the lodge of the principal chief. Here we were again informed that Tarrarecawaho, with all the principal men of the village, was engaged at a medicine feast. Notwithstanding his absence, some mats were spread for us upon the grounl in the back part of the lodge. Upon 34 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP them We sat down, and, after waiting some time, were presented with a large wooden dish of hominy or boiled corn. In this was a single spoon of the" horn of a buffalo, large enough to hold a pint, which, being used alternately by each of the party, soon emptied the dish of its contents." After this strange reception and feast the expedition visited in turn Roam Chief (Pawnee) and Yellow Hair (Sioux) agree to "bury the Hatchet." the villages of the Republican and Loup (Wolf) Pawnees, lying a few miles apart, an hour's ride above the village of the Pawnee Grand. Major Long was especially struck with the thrift of these villages. For miles up and down the river large droves of horses were grazing; fields of maize and patches of tomatoes, pumpkins and squashes were seen in many places THE ABORIGINES 35 and added much to the apparent wealth of the community. This was before misfortune overtook the nation. The expedition spent the night of June 12 on the banks of the river, within a stone's throw of the Loup village. This was, as far as we know, the first organized party of white men to slumber on the banks of this beautiful stream. The Pawnee nation formerly numbered some 25,000 souls and in the day of its prime was the terror alike of trapper and trader and bands from other tribes which by chance ventured too far into the hunting grounds of these fierce fighting foes. But calamity was at hand. In 1831, a terrible smallpox epidemic carried off several thousand of their number, leaving the nation in a pitiable condition. Their agent, John Dougherty, in making his report to the government, says: "Their miserv defies all description. I am fully persuaded that one-half the whole number will be carried off by this frightful distemper. They told me that not one under thirty years of age escaped, it having been that length of time since it visited them be- fore. They were dying so fast, and taken down at once in such large numbers that they had ceased to bury their dead, whose bodies were to be seen in every direction — lying in the river, lodged on the sand- bars, in the weeds around the villages and in their corn cashes." On the 9th of October, 1834, a treaty was made between the Pawnees and the United States government whereby the former agreed to vacate all their lands south of the Platte. All the plague stricken southern villages were abandoned and the miserable remnant of a once proud tribe reassembled on the Loup and westward along the Platte. But scarcely had the enfeebled nation had time to set up their tepees and break soil in their new home, when the Sioux made bold by their hereditary foes, apparent weakness, swept down the North Loup and the Cedar and began a war of extermination. Villages and fields were abandoned to the revengeful foe and safety sought in flight. The Pawnee found every man's hand against him. Even the government was indifferent and did little to check the depredations of the Sioux. To make matters still worse, other enemies on the south, the Cheyennes and the Arapahoes, infested the Pawnees' old Kansas hunting grounds, eager to strike the final blow. But this was not to come by the hand of red men. In 1849, gold seekers on their way to California brought the cholera to the Pawnee camps. Again several thousand died and the handful of survivors, reduced to beggary, besought the government for protection, which was granted. By the treaty of September 4, 1857, they ceded all their original territory except a strip 30 miles long by 15 wide upon the lower Loup river. This was the old Nance county Reservation, whence they were finally removed to their present abode in Oklahoma. During the Indian troubles of 1862-'65 the Pawnees furnished scouts to the government and proved a valuable aid against the crafty Sioux. The latter, however, reaped sweet revenge after the war closed. The Pawnees were never safe if they ventured away from the reservation. Red Cloud's bands might at THE TRAIL OP THE LOUP any moment sweep down upon them to kill and plunder. As if the loss of their hunting grounds were not enough to fill the cup of troubles, the grasshoppers, in 1872, devoured their corn crop. This meant starvation. Congressional appropriation through land sales kept them alive till 1874, when, as stated above, the Pawnees set their faces southward, forever to leave the Loup and the Platte. The story of their rapid decay is read in the following figures: In 1835, Q according to the missionaries Dunbar and Allis, they numbered 10,000. In 1840 disease and war had reduced them to 7,500. In 1849 cholera had reduced them to 5,000. Later official reports give 4,686 in 1856; 3,416 in 1861; 2376 in 1874; 1440 in 1879; 824 in 1889; 629 in 1901. Thus passed the Pawnees, the Wolf People of the North, while their arch enemy, the Sioux, still roamed the plains. The latter belonged to one of the most widely extended and important THE ABORIGINES 37 Indian families in North America. Prior *o the advent of white man to this country they appear to have held sway of the Atlantic seaboard of Virginia and the Carolinas, outlying tribes even penetrating south to the Gulf. In those days the Sioux were sedentary and inclined to horti- culture. They lived in well built lodges and tilled the soil. Within the recent historic period they set their faces westward and removed to the banks of the Ohio. The cause of this migration can only be surmised. In all probability it was the outcome of an undue pressure by Maskoki tribes living in the South Atlantic states, coupled with a like Algonquin or Iroquoian movement from the north. From their own traditions we learn that at some p©inst on the Ohio, probably near the mouth of the Wabash, the Sioux and Winn*>bagp«* parted company with the rest of the tribes and took a northwesterly trail across Illinois, the former taking possession of the headwaters of the Mississippi, the latter pitching their lodges around the lake that bears their name in Wisconsin. Meanwhile other tribes of the great family had reached the mouth of the Ohio and descended the Mississippi tili the Missouri was reached. Here the tribes further separated. The 'Quapas" — "the people who went down stream" — penetrated the wilds southward and possessed themselves of Arkansas; the "Omahas" — "the people who went up the stream" — ascended the Missouri and made their home in eastern Ne- braska. The Poncas and Iowas are usually classed as belonging to this tribe. The Otoes, Peorias and Missouris, who we will recall were first mentioned by Father Marquette in 1673, also belonged to the Siouan family. They all took up abodes along the Missouri and drifted westward up the Kaw and the Platte. At this juncture the Pawnees swarmed in form the south and by sheer force of numbers overcame the smaller Siouan tribes and reduced them to a state of vassalage. This was, however of so mild and paternal a nature that the vanquished appear to have been quite content with the new condition of things. Indeed when in later times the Pawnees became weak and dependent, the wards took the part of the task- master against their own kinsmen, the Dakotahs. The Sioux are the most important of the Siouan stock. Numerically they are the largest in the United States with the possible exception of the Ojibwas. The Sioux call themselves Dakotah, Nakotah, or Lakotah, according to the respective dialect, the name signifying "allies,." The popular name by which we know them is a corruption of the old Ojibwa "Nadawesiwug," meaning "enemies." The early French pronounced this as "Nadaousioux, " which by shortening became modern -'Sioux." This warlike tribe had at an early date forgotten their sedentary habits and become a nation of roaming buffalo hunters. From the headwaters of the Mississippi they gradually moved westward, pressed upon the east by the fierce Ojibwas who were aided by the French. Crossing: the Missouri they invaded the hunting grounds of the Kiowas, Cheyennes and Crows, whom they crowded beyond the Black Hills. For many years the Niobrara River in Nebraska formed the line of demarkation between the 38 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP Sioux and Pawnees. When the Sioux finally extended their hunts andipr- ays beyond this stream a relentless war commenced, which ended only with the utter annihilation of the valient foe from the southland. In 1837 the Sioux sold to the government aJl their claims to lands east of the Mississippi. In 1851 they surrendered the greater part of Minnesota and removed to the plains of Dakotah. But a general dissatisfaction with the manner in which the government fulfilled the terms of the treaty led to the massacre of white settlers at Spirit Lake, Iowa, in 1857. A few years later, in 1862, the shrewd chieftain, Little Crow, still chafing under real and imaginary wrongs, took advantage of the national government's embarassment consequent upon the Civil War and with his bands fell upon the outlying settlements in Minnesota, massacring fully 1000 of the settlers. This inaugurated a bitter war which lasted until 1869. The Indians were speedily driven out of Minnesota by General Sibley. Little Crow and his bands escaped to Canada, while the remainder, under command of Red Cloud and other noted chiefs sought refuge in Nebraska, where they continued the contest for seven years. Those were bloody days upon the plains. The valley of the Platte was then the great thoroughfare to California. Along a line hundreds of miles in length the plainsmen were exposed to attack. To hazard crossing the plains in small companies was now to invite sure destruction. The pioneers were forced therefore to organize in strong caravans or trains, armed to the teeth. Even then they were not always successful in making their way to the mountains. The trail from the Missouri to the Rockies became marked with bleaching bones, burnt wagons and rotting harness. The military had its hands full and indeed on occasion suffered severely. Thus, in 1866, Colonel Fetterman's entire command of 165 men was massacred near Fort Phillip Kearney. The frontiers and outlying ranches were panic stricken and at one time in 1864 many were entirely abandoned The Sioux were aided by the Cheyennes in these raids or, more correctly, the latter headed the first Platte River attack, after which the Brules and other Sioux joined in the fray, soon becoming the leaders. The Cheyennes were by this time closely allied to the Sioux through intermarriage of the tribes, and trouble with the one nation was sure to mean war with both. The Cheyennes had long been dissatisfied with the way the whites treated them and especially did they hate the soldiers at the army posts along the route. These seem to have been unnecessarily harsh in their treatment of the Indians, and at times to have brutally mis- used them. Let us here note the magnitude of the traffic by the great overland route of the Platte. It was not unusual, says an old rancher, to stand at one's cabin door and count from 1000 to 1500 wagons passing in a single day. Or to take an example more to the point: One St Louis firm, Russell, Majors, WaddeU & Cu., operated no less than 6,250 wagons, requiring a team force of 70,000 oxen, and representing an investment of nearly $2,000- 000, When it is borne in mind that this firm was only one of the many II 40 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP doing business between the river and the mountains, we shall readily com- prehend the enormous proportions of the traffic. The first outbreak of the war occurred at Plum Creek in Dawson county on the 17th day of August, 1864. This point was at that time the most important stage and telegraph station between Port Kearney -and Ft. McPherson. Aftec leaving the station and the broad vallev the route led Sioux Mother and Babe; Early Trailers of the Loup. to a point where steep bluffs and wood covered canyons afforded excellent concealment to a prowling foe. In this death trap the Indians planned their ambuscade, and fell upon an unsuspecting wagon train, killing the entire party of eleven, plundering the wagons and then setting fire to them. Fortunately the Indians had neglected to cut the telegraphic communica- tion eastward, and this alone prevented the general massacre, long planned, THE ABORIGINES 41 Settlers and ranchmen received timely warning and generally succeeded in reaching some point of refuge. For weeks all was panic and confusion. However, with the aid of the military, some degree of reassurance was established and many of the fugitives returned to their homes. For almost five years did the war drag on. involving terrible loss in life and property. During these years numerous pitched battles were fought between the government regulars and the Sioux. The last and decisive fight took place at Summit Springs. Sunday, July 11, 1869. The Sioux, under command of the vile chief, Tall Bull, had for some time made life unsafe along the Republican, when Gen. Carr of Fort McPherson started in pursuit wrth several companies of U. S. Troops and Major Frank North's band of 300 Pawnee scouts a,nd fighters. William Cody, better known as "Buffalo Bfell," acted as guide. July 5, Cody and six Pawnee scouts discovered the Sioux in the sand hills south of the Platte, whither they had retreated in haste upon hearing of the pursuit. When the attack was made the Sioux broke up into small bands and escaped under cover of darkness. Three days later, however, 600 Sioux were discovered in the act of fording the river and a sharp fight ensued. The Indians suffered heavy loss, among others the famous chief, Tall Bull, falling a victim to Cody's unerring aim. On the following Sunday General Carr, who had followed the main trail, overtook the reunited bands at Summit Springs. The Sioux held their ground and a day-break battle ensued. It was short but decisive. Many soldiers and Pawnee scouts were slain, and at least 700 of the Sioux, including many chiefs and sub-chiefs. The handful who escaped the carnage sought safety in headlong flight. Considerable booty was made. Herds of ponies, the entire camp outfit and 300 squaws fell into the victors' hands. This battle practically ended the war. The Indians, power of resistance was broken and while a few depredations were com- mitted after this time, they were limited to the stealing and running off of stock in the border settlements. The same year a treaty of peace was made which remained unbroken until the invasion of the Black Hills by miners, conseauent upon the discovery of gold, led to another war in 1876 : 77. Nebraska fortunately was spared the brunt of this outbreak, the main actions taking place in Mon- tana. The chief event of the war was the surprise and massacre of the intrepid Gen. George A. Custer and his entire command of nearly 300 regular troops in the bluffs of the Little Big Horn country. Sitting Bull is credited with being the leader of the hordes who on that memorable occasion overwhelmed one of the most daring and idolized Indian fighters of his century. Four days later Gen. Crook arrived upon the battlefield and in a series of fights took summary revenge upon the Indians. Of these Sitting Bull with several thousand followers escaped to Canada where he remained till 1881, when he returned on promise of amnesty. In 1889 another treaty was made by which the Sioux surrendered the richest lands of the "Great Sioux reservation," embracing all of South Pakota west of the Missouri. In lieu for this they were given five small, 42 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP distinct reservations and certain annuities. The new arrangements were exceedingly distasteful to a powerful minority, and this, together with an Indian "Messiah Craze" led to a new outbreak in the fall of 1890. At Wounded Knee, on the White River,one of the bands, which had voluntarily surrendered, attempted a treacherous surprise of the troops which all but succeeded. The trick was, however, discovered in the. nick of time, and what had at first promised the annihilation of the unsuspecting regulars, was turned into a terrible massacre of the red men. When .the affray was ended fully 300 Indian dead covered the field. A blot upon our escutcheon in this war was the slaying of old Sitting Bull and members of his family December 15, 1890, by a troop of soldiers sent to arrest him at his lodge. The old chieftain made but little show of resistance and his death was entirely unwarranted. The Sioux were typical nomad hunters and warriors. Numerically and physically strong, they made themselves masters of the buffalo plains, no other tribes being able to make a successful stand against them. In their skin tepees they dwelt where the buffalo was plentiful. They had their horses, dogs and weapons of war and were content. As warriors they were ruthless and unforgiving. No more striking example of these traits is found than in the vengeful spirit with which they nunted down and hounded the Pawnees to utter annihilation. The census of 1900 places the nation at fully 24,000, distributed as follows: Canada (refugees from the U. S. ), 600; Minnesota, 930; Montana (Port Peck Agency.) 1180; Nebraska (Santee Agency), 1310; North Dakota (Devil's Lake and Standing Rock Agencies), 4630; South Dakota (Cheyenne River, Crow Creek, Lower Brule, Pine Ridge and Rosebud Agencies), 15,480. Glimpses of State History. CHAPTER III. O "Now let us climb Nebraska's loftiest mount. And from it's summit view the scene below. The moon comes like an angle down from heaven; Its radiant face in the unclouded sun; Its outspread wings the over-arching sky; Its voice the charming minstrels of the air; Its breath the fragrance of the brightest wild-flowers. Behold the prairie, broad and grand and free - Tis God's own garden' unprofaned by man!" "Nebraska— a Poem.'' NE is accustomed to think of Nebraska as a state with but a brief his- tory. And when we consider her history in relation to her forty -four sister states this is perfectly true. In another sense, however, the state has a history surprisingly old. Fully sixty years before the founding of Jamestown in Virginia, and three quarters of a century prior to the coming of the Pilgrim Fathers to New England shores, did white men travel over the ereat plains of which Nebraska forms a part, and write narratives minutely describing the fauna and flora of those parts. Not from the east but from the far southland, Mexico, came the adventurers who were first to gaze upon her virgin beauty of plain and hill. It fell to the lot of the romantic Spaniard to shed poetic glamour over the first pages of Nebraska history. And it came with the far famed expedition of Cavalier Francisco Vasquez de Coronado, which left Compostela, Mexico, February 23, 1540. From an early date wild stories had been afloat in New Spain (Mexico), telling about a marvelous province, Cibola, in which were said to be seven magnificent cities, far surpassing the city of the Montezuma in riches and splendor. Several expeditions were dispatched to find the much coveted prize, but all these, daunted by the terrible journey across mountain and through desert waste, despairing of success, returned empty-handed. It was not till the year 1536 that the government determined to make a con- certed effort to reach Cibola. In that year Cabeza de Vaca and three companions — the only survivors of the Narvaez Expedition, which had been shipwrecked at the mouth of the Mississippi — arrived at San Miguel on the Gulf of California. These men told marvellous tales of their tramp from gulf to gulf, Of how their Indian captors had carried them from 44 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP tribe to tribe and how in course of these wanderings they had at one time come to mavellous cities, built of stone and brick and surpassingly rich in gold and silver. These tales gave new life to the "Cibola" stories, and stirred the covetous Spaniards to immediate action. The friar Marcos de Niza was accordingly sent forward on a preliminary expedition. This was in 1539. Marcos who evidently did discover one of the Zuni or Moqui ueblos in upper Arizonia or New Mexico, brought back glowing reports to Coronado, the governor of New Gallicia. He had, said he, not alone found fs > Cibola, but the half had not been told about its marvels. An expedition was now organized which had for its avowed purpose the conquestand Christianization of this fairy realm. And accordingly the governor in own person set forth with a large force of horsemen, infantry and native allies, supplied with artillery and large stores of ammunition and foodstuffs. With much difficuly he made his way across the mountains One of the "Seven Cities of Cibola." and into eastern Arizona, and there stormed the strongly built stone pueblo of Hawiku, which may yet be seen in its ruined state. This was, no doubt, one of friar Marcos' "Seven Cities." Not finding the fabled riches here, Coronado sent out expeditions to the west and north, wriich explored the country as far as the mud pueblos of Tusayan and the Grand Canyon of the Colorado. But as these expeditions were equally unsuccessful, the small army was ordered eastward and wintered on the banks of the Rio Grande in New Mexico. During the winter of 1540-41 the river tribes were subjugated after fierce resistance. Such shocking cruelty did the Spaniards display in their fights with the tribes that these in a dire extremity preferred death by fire to the small mercy of their Christian conquerors. At this juncture an Indian warrior appeared before Coronado with a strange story about "the great kingdom of Qui vera" lying many leagues to the northeast. A wonder- ful land indeed was this, "with its river seven miles wide, in which fishes large as horses were found; its immense canoes; its trees hung with golden GLIMPSES OP STATE HISTORY 45 bells, and dishes of solid gold." This remarkable bale had all the effect that could have been intended for it. The credulous Spaniards took the bait and one self sacrificing red man, thinking more of ravaged kin than life, led the way into the Stalked Plains of Texas, drawing the hated white man as far as possible from the poor, tortured, peace-loving tribes at home. After 700 miles of weary plodding across "mighty plains and sandy heaths" the explorers reached the banks of a great river which they called "St. Peter or St. Paul," and which from all reports must have been the Arkansas. Prior to leaving this stream the leader ordered the main body of his soldiers back to the old camp on the Rio Grande; with onlv 30 picked and mounted men did he then continue the search for Quivera. Northward, day after day, till 48 had sped by, did they continue — not always in a straight line, but searching out the country as they advanced. And here let us pause long enough in our search for the promised land to peruse a quaint but graphic description of early day life on the great buffalo plain, as it comes from the pen of the Spanish chronicler, the first civilized man to see such wonders: "The men." he says, ''clothe and shoe themselves with lether, and the women which are esteemed for their long lockes, cover their heads . . . with the same. They have no bread of any kinds of graine, as they say, which I account a very great matter. Their chiefest foode is flesh, and that oftentimes they eate raw, either of custome or for lacke of wood. They eate the fatt s as they take it out of the oxe, and drinke the bloode hotte, and die not therewithall, though the ancient writers say that it killeth, as Empedochs and others affirmed. They drinke it also colde dissolved in water. They seeth not the flesh for lack of pots, but rost it, or so tu say more properly, warme it at a fire of Oxe- dung; when they eat, they chaw their meate but little, and raven up much, and holding the flesh with their teeth, they cut it with rasors of stone which seemeth to be great beastialitie; but such is their manner of livin*? and fashion. They goe together in companies, and moove from one pij^e to another as the wild Moores of Barbarie, called Alarbes doe, following the seasons and the pasture after their oxen. "These Oxen are of the bignesse and color of our Bulles, but their homes are not so great. They have a great bunch upon their fore shoul- dres, and more haire on their fore part than on their hinder part, and it is like wool. They have as it were an horse-manne upon their backe bone, and much haire and verv long from their knees downward. They have great tuftes of haire hanging downe at their chinnes and throatp.s. The males, have very long tailes and a great knobbe and llocke at the end: so that in some respect they resemble the lion, and in some other the camel 1 They push with their homes, they runne, they overtake and kill an horse, when they are in their rage and anger. Finally it is a foule and fierce beast of countenance and form of bodie. The horses fledde from them, either because of their deformitie, or because theye had never seen them." In July the expedition reached a group of tepee villages somewhere 46 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP near the borderline between Kansas and Nebraska. Coronado, at last sat- isfied that he had been duped by his crafty guidf , straightway hanged that unfortunate to a tree on the banks of a stream which may have been the Republican or the Blue, in Nebraska. Farther to the north, he was told, was another large stream, presumably the Platte. No records are left to show that he approached this river any nearer. This we know, however, that he now turned eastward, marching till he reached the banks of a "large tributary of the Mississippi," no doubt the Missouri. And there he set up a cross with the inscription: "Thus far came Francisco de Coronado, General of an Expedition." Upon returning home to his province our explorer wrote a lettter to the Viceroy of New Spain, in which he states that, "the province of Qui vera is 950 leagues (3.230 miles) from Mexico. The place I have reached is 40° in latitude. The earth is the best possible for all kinds of productions of Spain, for while it is very strong and black, it is very well watered by brooks, springs and rivers. I found prunes like those of Spain, some of which were black, also some excellent grapes and mulberries." Much good ink has been wasted in efforts to determine the exact north- ward limits of Coronado's march. One of the most learned of the scholars writing upon this subject is Judge Jas. W. Savage, whose interesting paper is found in the Nebraska State Historical Society's report for the year 1880. The gist of this gentleman's argument is that Coronado simply could not have failed to have reached the Platte or at least the Republican in Ne- braska He says that "from the point where he left his army, Coronado must have proceeded in a direction west of north, "They had diverged too much toward Florida," says Castanada. The time occupied in the march by the detachment is uncertain; Castanada gives it as "forty-eight days, while Coronado says in one place that it was forty, and in another forty two days. Taking the lowest of these numbers, and conceding that it includes also the twenty-five days spent by the general in exploring Quivera, and there was ample time to reach the Platte or the Republican River." Now here we have it, "there was ample time," but have we the proof? Everything being equal, as we say, he should have reached both the Republican and the Platte, but, alas! what does this prove'? Such hvpotheses are dangerous to say the least, and we must not in our enthusiasm run away from the hard, cold fact. To the writer it does not appear ihat the evidence in the case is sufficient to substantiate the allega- tion; he prefers, therefore, to let the case rest upon Coronado's own state- ment that he reached 40 north latitude. And this may mean that he never set foot on Nebraska Soil, and again, that he advanced some distance into the state. "In the twenty-five years since Judge Savasre presented his paper a great deal of new light has been shed on the subject. The route of Coronado has been minutely studied. It has been established beyond question that the Quivera Indians were the Wichitas,— they being the only Indians in all that region who built grass houses. A great river which GLIMPSES OF STATE HISTORY 47 Coronado crossed on his way to Quivera has been very closely identified as the Arkansas. With these two points conceded it is not hard to fix the valley of the Kansas river in the vicinity of Port Rily as the true site of Quivera. Here are the remains of a vast former Indian population, — acres of rough flint axes, knives and arrow heads, and at a distance of a few miles other remains of a finer flint workmanship mixed with thousands of frag- ments of pottery. Exploration begun in 1896 on this site by Mr J. V. Quivera Monument, Junction City, Kansas. Brower of Minnesota, culiminated in the declaration by him that he had rediscovered Quivera."— A. E. Sheldon in Semi-Centennial History of Nebraska, Lincoln 1904. It is surprising how often even really great scholars will overreach themselves in their zealous endeavors to substantiate their claims and to prove their contentions. Much eager credulity is too often displayed in attempts to prove one's pet theory. And in this respect it seems to me, our 48 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP esteemed friend, Jugde Savage, was no exception. He states in a note to his paper "that the engineer of the new branch of the Union Pacific Railway, now building northward along one of the forks of the Loup, report numerous ancient mounds along their route, and many evidences of once populous cities. Specimens of the ancient pottery, with the shards of which the ground is thickly strewn, are almost identical with those still to be found at Pecos and other cities in New Mexico. This fact is peculiarly interesting in view of one of the statements of the Turk, just before his execution, to the exasperated Spaniards, that the cities to which he was conducting them were still beyond." The "new branch of the Union Pacific Railway" here spoken of is none other than the Republican Valley (Union Pacific) Railway between Grand Island and Ord, and then refers more particularly to that section of the road which lies between St. Paul and Ord. To think that the railway engineers should have found "evidences of once populous cities" on the beautiful Loup will certainly come as a surprise to the many old settlers of the Valley who as early as 1872 became familiar with almost every foot of ground between "Athens," and "The Porks" of the Loup and the Calamus, but who never dreamt of any such great past for their beloved valley. Many of them were good old plainsmen, too. and well versed in Indian lore. They were not ignorant of the fact that theirs was an "Indian country," and that it had for years been the stamping ground of two great, contending Indian nations, the Pawnees and the Sioux. Almost any pioneer from the early seventies can show a goodly collection of chipped arrows spearheads, war clubs and specimens of pottery. They were acquainted, and well acquainted with the so-called mounds, but never had cause to disassociate them with the Indians of their time. Even now the zealous collector may when the ground is burned over chance upon chipped flints and shards of broken pottery in great abundance.. The author, who has been identified with the valley for almost 25 years and who knows by sight the outline contour of almost every hill bordering the valley for 50 miles or more, has spent much time in excavating the "mounds" and has been well repaid for his efforts with a store of wampum, flints and pottery. But that these "mounds" and deserted camps bore "evidences" of some great and buried civilization certainly never occurred to him. Indeed, his knowledge of Indian lore, limited as it is, has but a very prosaic explana- tion for the "evidences," and forces him thus, at one fell stroke, to rob the valley of the distinction of having been the wonderful province of Quivera, the realm of Tartarrax, "the long-bearded, gray-haired and rich, who took his noon day sleep in a garden of roses, under a huge, spreading tree, to the branches of which were suspended innumerable gold balls, which sounded in exquisite harmony when shaken by the wind." The "once populous cities" we do not hesitate to state, were chateaux en E&pagne in the minds of men more at home in engineer-ins" than in ethnology. Old, deserted Pawnee and Sioux camps took on marvelous shapes in their imagination and the hilltop burial grounds became, by GLIMPSES OF STATE HISTORY 49 some strange mind contortion, mounds of unknown wealth and antiquity. No, let us stick to the fact. The North Loup Valley was at no time the home of the semi-civilized Indian. But up and down its whole length the barbarous plains Indians, for untold ages, lived and fought and died. His bones lie buried there and the Manitou still guards the sacred places of the departed. When Coronado, discouraged and heartsore, forever turned his back upon Nebraska, the darkness of barbarism again settled down over the plains, not to be dispelled for another 200 years. Not till after the acquisi- tion of the Louisiana Territory in 1803 did men's minds turn to the pos- sibilities of the great unknown West. The Lewis and Clark Expedition left St. Louis on the 14th of May. 1804, and spent two whole years explor- ing the great purchase. The reports brought back tended to familiarize the east with this vast region and its unlimited resources, and paved the way to the first commercial enterprise between the two sections of our country. Even before Lewis and Clark skirted the state had enterprising Frenchmen crossed the Missouri in quest of pelts. Pierre and August Choteau, brothers engaged in the fur trade, are known to have passed be- yond the forks of the Platce away back in 1762. They may at that early date have trailed along the Loup, fully a hundred years in advance of the first settlers. Traders, hunters and explorers soon began to pour into the "Indian country," beyond the Missouri. The first known settlement on Nebraska soil was a trading post founded at Bellevue by a wealthy Spaniard, Manuel Lisa, in 1805. The American Fur Company organized by that early captain of industry, John Jacob Aster, established its Missouri headquarters at Bellevue in 1810. This post became the center of a monster traffic with the Indian tribes as far westward as the mountains. Other posts were established for like purposes at Omaha, in 1825, and at Nebraska City, in 1826. Lack of space forbids a detailed account of the men, the first to blaze the way for later comers to the territory. A bare list of names and dates of a. few must suffice. Lieutenant Zebulon Pike travelled through southern Nebraska on his way to the Rockies in the fall of 1806. Thos. Nutell and John Bradbury spent a part of 1808 in the territory botanizing. Major Stephen Long crossed the Missouri into Nebraska on the 10th day of .June 1819, and traversed the state from east to west. William Asheley, the head of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company of St. Louis, ascended the Missouri in boats, to the mouth of the Yellowstone. This was in 1822. Colonel John C. Fremont left St. Louis in May, 1842, bound upon his important trip across the purchase to the mountains. He spent part of the summer in Nebraska. At this juncture an event of much interest occurred. It was the advent of Mormons to Nebraska soil. This religious sect had been driven from its home at Nauvoo. Illinois, and was now, after much buffeting around, massing on the banks of the Missouri, preparatory to crossing the 50 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP "Great Desert" to the Promised Land beyond the reach of law. Im- mediately above Omaha, where the present town of Florence lies, some 15,000 Mormons established a camp, spoken of as "Winter Quarters." Here they remained through 1845-46, and to all intents began permanent settle- ment. Such inroads did they make however on the timber up and down the valley that the Indians, angered at what they considered wanton devastation of their lands, sent a bitter complaint to the government. This resulted in a peremptory order for the Mormons to move on. The terrible journey to the Great Salt Lake was thus begun. Months of toil and hard- ship, of suffering and death, amidst the burning desert sands and at the hands of hostile Indian bands finally brought the wearied advance euard into the beautiful Jordan Valley. But at what a cost! The trail from "Winter Quarters" to Salt Lake City was indelibly marked uut for later Cast awav garments, brok- Territory opened to slavery. comers. en and burned vehicles, bleaching bones of cattle and horses fallen by the wayside, and graves of weary pilgrims scattered along the rout, of a thousand miles told the cost Many a disheartened wanderer shrank from facing these hardships and preferred to settle along the route of progress in the fertile val- leys of Nebraska. In this way nu- merous small Mormon settlements sprang up along the Platte and its forks. The most interesting of these, in many respects, was the Genoa settlement in Nance county. Nebraska Territory in 1854. Here a large tract of land was en- closed and divided among a hundred families comprising the original settlers and foundations for solid prosperity were laid. Unfortunately for them this land was part of the tract set aside by the govern- ment for the Pawnee Indians, under the treaty of 1857. On account of this circumstance they could not obtain title to the lands. In addition to this trouble frequent raids upon their cattle and horses by Sioux and Pawnees alike made life precarious. It thus came about that the settlement was abandoned and today only a few low, crumbling earthworks mark the spot. Then came the gold fever. This most seductive of metals was dis- covered in 1848. and by the following year thousands were already moving through the Platte Valley on their way to California. This event was of much importance to the future history of the state. "The moving host left here and there a permanent impress upon the land nor was this all; the land in turn so charmed the eye, and created so abiding an impression on the mind of many a beholder, that wearied with the unequal contest of the GLIMPSES OF STATE HISTORY 51 camp, they abandoned the pick and spade for the surer implements of husbandry; remembering the beautiful valley of the Platte, they sought its peaceful hills and plains wherein to erect homes for their declining years." In 1851 one William D. Brown established a ferry on the Missouri River between the trading post of "Lone Tree," or Omaha, founded back in 1825, and the present Council Bluffs. The effect was to divert a measure of the traffic held by "Winter Quarters" and Bellevue and to lay the foundations for the growth of Nebraska's future metropolis. Furthermore the discovery of gold and the consequent growth of empire on the Pacific led to the erec- tion of the trans-continental railway lines. Thus originated the Union Pacific, hugging close the old overland trail, and other trunk lines which together have been the means of throwing open wide the vast resources of the state. Indeed did the opening of the great Overland route work wonders in the development in the future state. Favorable reports were by the thousands flocking to the gold coast or returning home, carried to all parts of the country. The exceptional advantages held out to all turned the tide of immigration into the Nebraska valleys, and prosperous communities sprang up along the many rivers. Politicians, too, casting about for more terri- tory to erect into slave states early took a hand in the making of the new commonwealth. But, first, let us pause for a moment. In 1803 the most important real estate transaction in American history was consummated. On the 30th of April of that year, Napoleon Bona- parte, acting for France, ceded to the United States that vast region lying between the Missisippi and the Rockies, popularly known as the Louisiana Purchase. Thus, for the paltry sum of 115,000,000— less than four cents an acre— were 1,182.752 square miles of the richest lands in the world added to our domain, and at the same fortunate stroke was the future mastery of the Western Hemisphere by the United States made an assured fact. On the 20th of December the Stars and Stripes were raised in New Orleans "amidst the acclamations of the inhabitants," and the purchase became American soil. Prior to the purchase of Louisiana the Ohio river was considered the line of demarcation between the free north and slave south. About year 1820 the slavery agitation began to take on a new and dangerous face. The struggle had by this time come to center in the national congress. Southern politicians feared to lose the balance of power in Congress and persistently held out for more slave territory, which would mean more representatives in Congress favorable to the perpetuation of their system. The province of Maine asked for admission as a state in 1819 and the House of Representatives promptly passed the bill; but when it came be- fore the Senate, a clause providing for Missouri as a slave state was tacked on by the way of amendment. After much heated debate the matter was compromised. The contesting factions accepted an amendment proposed by Jess B. Thomas of Illinois, which provided, "that in all that territory ceded by France to the United States under the name of Louisiana, which 52 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP lies north of thirty-six degrees, thirty minutes north latitude, not included within the limits of the state contemplated by this act, slavery . . . shall be and is hereby forever prohibited." In plain language, Missouri became a slave state and slavery was forbidden in the remainder of the Louisiana territory north of Arkansas. In this way it came about that slavery could never be lawfully carried on within the bounds of the future state of Nebraska. When Missouri was admitted to statehood the territory yet unorganized became grossly neglected. Finally in 1834, the jurisdiction of the United States District Court of Missouri was extended over part of it; another portion was annexed to Michigan Territory, and the remainder became a part of Arkansas Territory. A natural consequence of this arrangement was the great laxity in law and order on the frontier. Almost the only protection against the lawless element in certain parts infesting the terri- tory, was the few military posts scattered here and there at long intervals. Naturally enough the settlers began to long for a more stable form of government. Meanwhile the slavery question would not down. The California problem had opened again partially healed sectional wounds. That rich territory, it will be remembered, lies partly north and partly south of the old line of demarcation — latitude 36° 30'. Naturally enough this led the pro-slavery people to hope for the erection of a slave state on the Pacific. In this they were however destined to sore disappointment as California, in December, 1849, asked for admission as a free state. The south felt outraged. Have we not, exclaimed southern men, been robbed of the richest region acquired from Mexico — the region of the war acquisition best suited to the furtherance of our system! Just so, and hadn't California and extension of slavery to the Pacific been one of the most potent causes of the war? Exactly. Little wonder the contest grew exceedingly bitter, and engendered a dangerous spirit on both sides of the Mason and Dixon line. Again was balm poured upon sectional feeling and the inevitable breach postponed for a few years longer. This came about through the Com- promise of 1850. But the remedy proved in time almost as bad as the disease and early proved a disappointment to friends of peace in both sec- tions of the country. Out of it came, in 1857, the Dred Scott Decision by the United States Supreme Court, which to all intents opened all northern territory to the nefarious traffic. A northern democrat who held that the Compromise of 1850 had nullified the Missouri Compromise was Stephen Arnold Douglas, United States Senator from Illinois. For many years this gentleman had been anxious to organize the vast territory lying west of Missouri and Iowa. In January, 1854, Douglas introduced a bill to provide for the organization of all this tract as the territory of Nebraska. The bill provided "that this territory should be admitted to the Union at some future time as one state or as several states, with or without slavery as their constitution may prescribe at this time. " Douglas was an ardent GLIMPSES OF STATE HISTORY 53 advocate of "Popular Sovereignty" and desired to leave the question of slavery or no slavery to the vote of the people of the proposed states. Be- fore its final passage the bill was changed to provide for the organization of two territories, Kansas and Nebraska, instead of just Nebraska. Of these, the latter was to include all that part of the region lying between 40 and 49° north latitude, and extending from the Missouri and the White Earth River to the mountains. The bill finally passed both houses and was signed by President Pierce on the 30th of May. The limits of the new territory were greatly reduced in 1861, when all the region north of the 43d parallel became a part of Dakota Territory. The same year a part of the southwest corner was added to Colorado and the western limit definitely settled on the 110th meridian. This left Ne- braska in the shape of a rectangle some 700 miles long and fully 200 miles wide. A further carving down occurred in 1863. Then the portion to the west of the 104tli meridian was added to Idaho Territory. This reduced Nebraska to the present limits, if we except a very small strip in the northwest, added to the state in 1882. As a first step in the organization of Nebraska Territory, the president, Franklin Pierce, appointed Francis Burt of South Carolina, governor, and Thomas B. Cuming of Iowa, secretary. The governor reached Bellevue October 7, 1854, and took up his abode with Rev. William Hamilton, in charge of the Presbyterian Mission House there. No sooner had the new head of the government arrived than sickness forced him to take to his bed; from this he was destined never again to rise. In spite of sickness the oath of office was administered to him by Chief Justice Ferguson. This took place on the 16th of October and two days later the governor was dead. Thus the very first act in the history of the new territory became a sad and tragic one. Secretary Cuming immediately took up the reins of government and first of all ordered a census taken. To this end the territory was divided into six counting districts. By November 20th the table of returns from all districts was completed, and showed a population of 2,732, which, no doubt consisted in a great part of "floaters" on their way through the counting districts. The population ascertained, the acting governor next apportioned the 13 councilmen and 26 representatives provided for in the Organic Act among eight voting districts. The first general election ever held in Nebraska occurred on the 12th day of December, 1854, at which time not only were the 39 legislators elected but also a representative to Congress. The machinery of governmment was now set in motion in all its depart- ments. The first Territorial Legislature convened, in obedience to guber- natorial proclamation, at Omaha City, January 16, 1855, and the bitter contest for the location of the territorial capital was on. Governor Burt had intended to make Bellevue the seat of government; but his early demise gave the acting governor an opportunity to decide in favor of his personal choice, Omaha. For days after the opening of the session crowds of 54 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP armed men paraded the sreets of Omaha and vowed that no session should be held there. Fortunately these hot headed pioneers did not go beyond threats, and our new territorial escutcheon was spared the stains of early, needless bloodshed. Florence, Nebraska City, Plattsmouth, and several towns farther inland, were all eager to capture the plum, and now for twelve years was the fight waged with unceasing bitterness, at one time indeed causing the secession of a part of the Territorial Legislature in favor of Florence. The struggle developed into a fight for sectional supremacy — it became the North Platte country against the South Platte country. At last when Nebraska in 1867 was admitted to the union, Lincoln in Lancaster county, became the permanent capital. It is not our purpose in these pages to attempt a portrayal of the state history of our noble commonwealth. In the passage from this part of the work to the story of the North Loup Valley let it here suffice that the statehood question came up at a very early date. In 1860 the people voted The First Dwelling in Lincoln. 1867. down a proposal to sail a constitutional convention. Congress passed an Enabling Act four years later, and in 1866 a constitution was adopted by the state. Congress immediately ratified this action by passing the "Admission Act" of July 18, 1866. This act was however pocket- vetoed by President Johnson. Next February he again vetoed a similar bill; but this was passed over his veto and Nebraska became a state upon the first day of March, 1867. Thirty-seven years of peaceful development have changed the state from the wild "Indian Country" that it was to one of the richest agri- cultural states in the Union. This evolution, indeed, albeit suprisingly rapid, was not brought about but at some cost. Our fathers, who first broke the virgin prairie, suffered all the hardships consequent upon the settlement of anew country, before we their children could enjoy the fruits of their labor. There were the Indian uprisings, with sad stories of GLIMPSES OF STATE HISTORY 55 settlements destroyed and families broken up, repeated destruction of crops by swarms of locusts, destructive windstorms in summer and blizzards in winter, hail storms and droughts, in a word, all the evils and hardships that go hand in hand with blazing a trail in the unknown. In education, Nebraska bears the proud distinction of having the lowest percent of illiteracy in the United States. The public school system has reached a degree of excellence attained by but few of the older states. 25y of Valley. (SEAL) John J. Gaskon, Secy, of State. Recorded July 17th 1874. W. D. Long, Co. Clerk. A. T. Stacy, Dep'ty. It will be noticed that the above commissioner's resolution was made by a new board elected at the first regular fall election, the name of R. W. Bancroft appearing here in place of that of D. C. Bailey, and that for more than a year no record had been kept of the certificate of election. We must not from this get the impression though that the first board did not do its work well. Far from it, they took hold of their duties with creditable energy and considering what they had to work with, did remark- ably well. To give the reader some appreciation of early county affairs some of the first meetings of the board a're here introduced. Before the erection of a court house these meetings were "held around" at the most convenient place. The matter of taxation came before the commissioners at their first meeting, the minutes of which read as follows: June 23, '73. Present L. C. Jacobs, Ch'm., John Case, and D. C. Bailey. Attest E. D. McKenney, Co. Clerk. First assessors appointed— Geo. B. Rood for south side and Q. S. Haskell for port!; side. Horses $:i.0Q-&70 00-Oxen 8?5.00-*70.00 per yoke, 104 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP This in brief tells the story of the first steps taken to defray the ex- penses of the new county government. The following list gives in full the first ten warrants paid with the money thus collected: No. Amt. Date Services To Whom Issued, 1 $131 90 Jan. 19, 1874 Books, blanks, etc. Acres & Blackmar 2 2 00 it it Clerk of Election D. A. Post 3 7 00 t, u Road Commissioner D. A. Post 4 21 90 " it County Commissioner John Case 5 10 85 it it County Commissioner John Case H 48 00 11 it County Commissioner, etc. L. C. Jacobs 7 7 00 ii it Sundries Charles Badger 8 46 55 " u County Clerk, etc. E. D. McKenney 9 98 45 ii it Making out tax list of 1873 W. D. Long 10 2 00 it it Clerk of Election J. H. Collins The minutes of February 23, 1874, are rather amusing. As will appear later in our story the settlers found it "desirable and expedient" to organize a militia company for protection against the Indians. Of this company O. S. Haskell was elected captain and M. B. Goodenow lieuten- ant. It further appears that there developed considerable feeling over the matter of guns furnished by the government. Some of the/'boys" brought their grievances before the county commissioners who made the following rulings: Besolved: That O. S. Haskell be ordered to restore to Wm. Hobson the govt, gun and ammunition and accoutrements that he has taken from said Hobson, and now in possession of said Haskell. Besolved: That M. B. Goodenow be ordered to restore to Mr. Wood the govt gun issued to said Wood together with ammuni:ion belonging thereto; also that said Goodenow be ordered to deliver the govt, guu that D. A. Post left in his care, to C. C. Post or his order. Resolved: That the r.eedle-gun taken from Vvru. Crouk and given to Herbert Thurs- ton shall remain in possession of said Thurston subject to the order of the Co. Comm's. We read too how early blizzards raging unchecked across the virgin prairie, and river torrents unspanned by bridges on occasion kept the county fathers from their regular board meeting. Of this the following minutes are illustrative: County Clerk's Office, Valley Co., Nek, Apl, 21st, 1874 The County Commissioners met at the office of the Co. Clerk. When meeting was ad- journed for want of a quorum caused by a heavy snowstorm. Present R. W. Bar .roft: Attest, W. D. Long, C'erk. County Clerk's Office, Valley Co Neb , Dec 7, 1874. No session of the County Commissioners held by reason of the North Loup being >n an uncrossable condition. Attest, W. D. Long, Clerk. Now to revert to the county seat controversy hinted at in the first part of this chapter. The North Loup party though defeated in the first test of strength did not lose courage, and hoped against hope sooner or later to be able to wrest the countyseat from the upper settlements. The matter which ultimately settled the sorry affair was the so-called "bridge inci- dent." The story of this matter is in brief as follows: Settlements were rapidly springing up on both sides of the river and the demands for a river bridge were becoming imperative. For many months of the year it was ORGANIZATION OF VALLEY COUNTY— EA K L V POLITICS L05 impossible to cross from one side to the other. Now in case a bridge was to be built, the all important question would be where to build it. The strongest settlement on the north side of the river was the Springdale settlement immediately across from the Dane Creek settlement. Both ihese settle- ments, and indeed all the people in the upper half of the county, would favor a bridge as near as practical to the newly voted county seat. North Loup naturally enough advocated some point on the river near their own settlement; or, for sake of compromise, a location midway between the upoer and lower settlements. As affairs stood in the summer of 1874, two of the county commissioners, Case and Bancroft, not alone favored building Township Map of Valley County. the bridge, but were determined to see it built where it was needed the most — and that with them meant near the new county seat, Ord. The third member was Jacobs of North Loup, who would build the bridge at his home town or not at all. If the people should vote to issue bonds for a bridge the building of the same would be in the hands of the commissioners, and this would under nresent conditions mean a victory for Ord. It came to a test, and an election to vote bonds was called for August 25, 1874. When the vote was counted the bond issue was found to have carried by a good majority. Even yet the North Loupers did not lose hope. There was some question as to the legal- ity of the election, just what it was the* author has never been able to ascertain. At anv rate the contesting faction sent the sheriff, who was a North Loup man, all the way overland to West Point, to apply to the District Court for an injunc- tion to stop the issuing of the bond. Time was now precious. A commission- ers' meeting must be held, the bonds must be issued and sold, all in a legal manner and before the injunction could be returned and served. We may rest assured that the up-river men did not let the grass grow under their feet! A purchaser fur the bonds was already at Grandpa Daniel Cooley Bailey at the Age of 85 hand in the person of John Means, the Grand Island contractor and bridge-builder. The required three days' notice was given and the Board of County Commissioners met bright and early on September the 9th, 106 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP 1874, at the residence of Chairman Bancroft — that is, all with the excep- tion of Mr. Jacobs, who flatly refused to have anything to do with the pro- ceedings. The meeting although hurriedly called, was nevertheless held in absolute conformity with the law, as the clerk's minutes show. They read : Commissioners' meeting, Sept. 9th, '74 "The Co. Clerk being' ordered by the Comm's., brought forth the abstract of votes cast at an election held in and for said Valley county, Neb., on the 25th day of August, 1874, wherein the proposition of issuing the bonds of said county to build a bridge across the North Loup river was duly submitted to the qualified voters of said county, and upon examination of the same it was found that said proposition had carried in the affirmative. Whereupon the commissioners resolved to issue the said bonds and let the construction of said bridge to private parties." But such prosaic records fail to tell the story by half. The excite- ment, the fear lest their efforts might be frustrated by a too early return of the sheriff, lent a zest to the commissioner's proceedings which none but the chief actors themselves can ever fully appreciate. As soon as the above resolution was adopted the commissioner proceeded to issue the bonds, when it ap- peared that no one present could tell just how such documents ought to be formu- ated, and to make the matter worse there was not a solitary law book nor a single copy of the Nebraska Statutes at hand ! At his dire extremity D. C. Bailey was dispatched post haste to Grand Island to procure the necessary information. This of course meant a long adjournment, and meanwhile the injunction might appear ! But patience, Providence has decreed that Ord must win! Do you remember, good reader, bow upon a certain night in January of '78 Washington's army lay entangled in miry roads between the Delaware and the Assinpink, hemmed in by the exul- the commander-in-chief had despaired Dr. Charles Badger; Firat Superintendent of Valley County Schools. tant Cornwallis, when all but of safety, that suddenly the elements came to the patriots' succor, freezing the roads and providing an avenue for escape? So now these same elements came to our fathers' rescue. Heavy rains in the eastern part of the state made travel difficult and delayed the sheriff's return from West Point, where a misguided judge had granted him the dreaded injunc- tion. Westward rains were delayed just long enough to allow Mr. Bailey to return from the "Island" with his precious law dryshod. Then indeed did the sluices of Heaven open up! And every creek and gully go on a rampage, flooding the lowlands far and wide. But neither flood nor storm could stop pur stalwart minion of the law. Homeward tie strng: ORGANIZATION OF VALLEY COUNTY --EARLY POLITICS 107 gled through rain and mire, much delayed though not disheartened. Yet it was to avail him nothing. At eight o'clock sharp on the morning sot for Remains of the First Frame House in Valley County. This Structure was Erected by Orson S. Haskell on His Claim North-East of Ord. in the Summer of 1872. the adjourned meeting the crudely formulated bonds were produced and sold to John Means, who, as the sole bidder, was also given the contract to build the bridge. At just five minutes past eight o'clock the meeting adjourned. Ten minutes later the baffled sheriff drew rein in front of Mr. Bancroft's residence, but — too late ! It must have been a dramatic spec- tacle indeed to have seen the sheriff lashing his foaming and nigh spent horses uphill and down hill, across croeks and cannons, on the south bank o i ' ■ \' J - ii i . \ ■ \. . i ; «v ■ - : ■ i. ... it 1 r! ■ ii i o o . ii • . i 108 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP of the river, cursing his luck, but hoping against hope to be in time; while Means, the bond-owner and contractor, on the opposite bank, was leisurely Emily C. Bancroft and William A. Hobson. To settle a much-disputed question amoug oM-timers as to who was the first couple mar- ried in Valley county the writer offers the following, taken from the county records: Nels Anderson (age 29) and Johanna Mortensen (age 22). married by Elder Oscar Babcock, July 6, 1873; Wm. A Hobson (age 27) and Emily C. Bancroft (age 17), married by Elder I. A. Bristol, August 10, 1873. The dispute originated is the fact that Mr. Anderson neglected to take out a license to marry. cantering away toward Central City, the important documents snugly hidden in his waistcoat pocket! Such then was the "deed" by which the bridge was secured and the ORGANIZATION OF VALLEY COUNTY — EARLY POLITICS 109 county seat question finally disposed of. But to get the bridge built and paid for was, as it will appear, not so easy. The specifications called for a pile and plank structure 831 feet long; for this the contractor was to get $12.00 per running foot, or $9972.00. Work was soon under way on the bridge-pilings, a levy of two mills was ordered on all property to pay the interest on the bonds, and everything seemed in fair way to success, when Mr. Means found himself unable to handle the bonds and turn them into cash. Work on the bridge was consequently discontinued and tne bonds were turned over to the county board. July 13, '75, the commissioners determined to make a second attempt at bund sale and this time they were successful. Under a new contract, entered into Sept. 8, '75, Mr. Means agreed to build the bridge at the rate of $9.00 per running foot and have the structure completed by October 20th of the same year. This contract was faithfully executed and final settlement was made Nov. 29. 1875. The cash cost was $7479.00, which the county settled with warrants amounting to $9719.30, placing their face value at 70 per cent. The bridge which in our day would have seemed a very crude affair, answered its purpose very well and was for many a year the chief connecting link in the traffic be- tween the two sides of the North Loup. Before closing this chapter on odds and ends it may be of some inter- est to know how the county procured its first iron safe — the one now to be seen in the county clerk's office at Ord. In time as valuable documents began to accumulate on the commissioners' hands, it became a serious question to know what to do with them. By 1875, some sort of a depository had become absolutely necessary, and it was unanimously decided to pur- chase a "safe." The board had no ready money, not even enough to pay the freight, as the appended agreement will show and warrants were not held in much favor, so the safe became an expensive one. It was purchased through one Chas. L. Wundt, representing a Cincinnati house, and was to cost $1000.00 and freight, the latter to be prepaid by the selling firm. Furthermore, the warrants given in payment were to run "till the B. and M. railroad taxes could be collected" and at this particular time that was a vexing question with the board. The safe laid down in Grand Island cost just $1058.27 plus the freight charges form that place to Ord. When eventually paid it represented an outlay of fully $1200.00. The same safe could today easily be purchased for one-sixth of that amount. Here are the agreements in the original, just as they appear on the record : Agreement, E. L. Wundt vs. Co. Conim's. Valley County, Nebraska, Apl. 6th, 1875. To the Hon. The Board of County Commissioners of Valley County. Neb. Geuts. 1 hereby agree and bond myself to pay the freight on the safe this day ordered from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Grand Island. Nebraska, and take warrants for same at their actual cash value. Chas. L. Wundt. "July 13, 1875. — Warrants 74 to 75 issued to Chas L. Wundt for safe and freight on same, as per contract of Apl. 6th — 75— One Thousand and Fifty-eight and 27-100 Dollars." The Memorable Year 1873 CHAPTER VIII. In the heaven's, in the cloud's, oh! I see Many spots — many dark, many red; In the heavens, oh! I see Many clouds. — Uncas' Chant. THE Battle of Summit Springs in July, 1869, practically put an end to the Sioux War and soon thereafter a treaty was signed, which remained unbroken till the invasion of the Black Hills by miners, consequent upon the discovery of gold, led to the desperate war in 1876-'77, which culminated with the Custer Massacre. But for years after the peace-signing the Sioux made free use of the hunting-grounds in the North Platte country. They would sally forth from the agencies along the South Dakota border and hunt up and down the Nebraska river courses. Occasionally war parties stole away from their agencies. Breaking through the sand hills, they would trail the courses of the Cedar and North Loup, suddenly to fall up on their ancient foes, the Pawnees, on the Nance county reservation. On such marauding expeditions it was not unusual for the Indians to run off outlying settlers' cattle and horses and make life as a whole unsafe. The Loup Valley settlements were repeatedly harried and for a while it looked as though these incursions would put an entire stop to the influx of the settlers. Then the government came to the rescue and built Port Hartsuff, after which time there was no further danger. The first real trouble occurred in the month of March, 1873, when a band of Pine Ridge Sioux fell upon the Post settlement north of Turtle Creek and ran off much valuable stock. This affair culminated in the burlesque of an Indian hunt usually known as "the Battle of Sioux Creek." Right here might the history of many of our valient fathers have ended had the Indians been as eager for scalps as they were for good saddle horses. As a matter of fact the settlers organized a party to hunt the thieves down, and to recover if possible, the stolen property. But so inadequately were the members of this party equipped and so unskilled were the majority of them in Indian warfare that the great wonder is that a single man returned to tell the story. Indeed the foolhardy pursuers could readily have been led into an ambush and all massacred had the Indians been so disposed. The battle as here reviewed is from Peter Mortensen's article in "The THE MEMORABLE YEAR 1873 111 Ord Democrat" of March 2, 1894, and is here given almost verbatim. Speaking of the Turtle Creek settlement, Mr. Mortensen says: "The young blood of the Posts, who had been asking for a real tight with tne red men, did not have to wait long. One morning in the latter days of March, '73 a fine mare and her yearling colt were missing from the corral. The footmarks of Indian ponies were noticed around the stables and their trail with those of the stolen horse and cult were plain, leading southward toward the hills and up the Turtle Creek Valley. All the set- tlers were notified and requested to respond at once for the purpose of over- taking the red rascals, to recover the stolen horses and such other booty as they might have in their possession and to teach them such a lesson as would forever prevent them from again stealing any horses from the white settlers. To this call responded, as quickly as possible, "Happy Jack" a trapper, Indian scout and regular frontiersman, who the previous fall had moved his camp from near the chalk hills in Greeley county to the canyon bearing his name, near Mr. Goodenow's farm; also A. G. Post and his son Frank, John Case, Doctor McKenney, Frank Curtis, the three Post boys, David, Charles and Calvin, Falle Moller and Chris. Frey (the latter two re- turning home after the first day and before the battle the following morn- ing) and the writer, who received the news while plowing on his farm with with his ox team. The oxen were immediately liberated from their yoke and on the back of a borrowed horse, without a saddle, a borrowed gun and a belt with a shot bag containing 27 rounds of cartridges, he hastened to meet his companions, who had been preparing sufficient provisions to last the company several days. The company were all on horseback with the exception, I think, of Mr. Case and A. G. Post, who rode in a spring wag- on containing the provisions, camping utensils and blankets. It was esti- mated from the trail that the Indians were about twelve in number. There were eleven of us when we started out with "Happy Jack" as our leader, who it was reported had single-handed defeated as large a band as the one we were about to annihilate. And there were the younger Posts. Their blood was just more than boiling with enthusiasm enough in each to fight the band single-handed. We were armed "to the teeth." Frey brought his old musket, loaded to the muzzle with large buck-shot enough to kill several of the red bucks if they had been conveniently arranged. He had forgotten to bring any extra ammunition. Moller brought his double bar- reled shot gun, also heavily loaded. The writer brought a borrowed Spring- field needle-gun and 27 rounds of cartridges, but on account of some defect in his eyesight and inexperience in handling such a dangerous weapon", might as well have brought a willow club. Even "Happy Jack" did not carry a breech-loader, but a double-barreled gun, one barrel of which was used for shot and the other for ball. Mr. Curtis and Frank Post, I think, both carried Spencer carbines, which experience had proven were sure to overshoot their marks from ten feet to ten rods, according to distance. The rest of the company were armed with muzzle-leading guns and muskets of more or less improved patterns. With such arms no wonder we wore cer- 112 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP THE MEMORABLE YEAR 1873 113 tain of victorv against a foe, who, as we found out later, were armed with nothing but Winchester repeating rifles! "After receiving our instructions from "Happy Jack" we left Uncle Billy at home to protect the two ladies, Mrs. Post and Mrs. McKenney, and the remaining horses, about ten in number. Jack was as sure in following a trail of Indians as a bloodhound is in following a nigger trail in the South, and with him in front, Messrs. Case and Post behind in a buggy with our provisions, we started in hot pursuit after the offenders of the Common Law and of the Statutes of Nebraska. A few miles up the north branch of Turtle Creek the trail divided, the largest body of the Indians crossing the creek toward the south, while a trail of two or three Indians and the stol- en mare and colt continued on up the creek. This appeared to be in our favor. The prospect now was that we would have to tight but two or three instead of a dozen. That it would have been very convenient for those In- dians who had left the trail to have followed us up and in one of the deep draws which we occasionally had to cross to have massacred us all did not enter our minds, and probably not theirs, for as it will appear later they were not planning for human blood but to steal more horses. Occasional- ly along the trail which we continued to follow we noticed pieces of red cloth, which "Happy Jack" explained to us was to warn us not to follow them, as they would tight us if we came too close. The trail continued to lead up to the head cf Turtle Creek, over the divide to Sioux Creek in Loup county and down that creek to the North Loup Valley. When we reached the valley it was sundown and we decided to go into camp on Sioux Creek in a cottonwood grove with plenty of water and dry wood. After par- taking of a hearty meal of fried bacon, bread, dried venison and coffee some of us, sore and tired, tried to sleep on the damp ground while others were scattered arouml our camp to guard us against sudden surprise. But even those who were permitted to sleep were but little benefited. The howl of a coyote or wolf in the still air or the neighing of the horses tied in the brush would startle us or call us to arms by the guard. "Before sunrise we had finished our breakfast, broken camp and were again in the saddle, following the trail up tne Loup Valley. We had not travelled more than an hour, probably 8 or 10 miles, when we heard fierce yelling behind us. We were startled to say the least. Our enthusiasm went down into our knees and made them shake. The blood rushed to our heads and made us dizzy. There they were within 80 or 100 rods of us. eight, ten or twelve, more or less. On their little Indian ponies, they looked like giants and with their flowing red blankets and feathered hats like knights of the Dark Ages. It would have been a grand sight had we been in a mood to appreciate it, but we were not. Where was Calvin and Frank Post? Where was our hero and leader "Happy Jack?" There he stood his pony between him and the Indians, and as pale as a corpse. I offered him the service of my needle gun and my 27 rounds but he declined and advised us not to shoot. "If you don't shoot at them they will go on and not molest us," he said, but they did. 114 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP "Soon one of the warriors was seen to leap from his horse and delib- erately take aim at us with his Winchester over his pony's back and the ball went whizz over our head. Soon he was followed by others and the balls went whiz-z! whiz-z! whiz-z! Our horses became excited. They had caught our enthusiasm and began to run, not towards the Indians but in an opposite direction towards the river. The balls kept a whizzing, and some were seen to strike on the ground near us. A few times we would change front and send a volley after the red skins, who would mount their ponies,' circle around a, minute and then again commence to fire at us. During our retreat Charles Post and the Doctor, I think, were riding in the hind end of the buggy facing the Indians and keeping up a constant firing, even after the stock of the Doctor's rifle had caught in the buggy wheel and broken its stuck. How long our retreat lasted or what distance it cov- i i V . >- ^-*?"Xx A Hand-to-Hand Encounter. ered I have no distinct recollection. We might have covered a mile or two when we reached a high bank near the river. Here I handed my gun to Frank Post and made myself useful holding the boys' horses while they opened fire on the Indians at a rather long range, and I fear to little effect. When I turned my gun over to Mr. Post I had but 7 rounds left, and as I had not fired once I must have lost the other 20 in the excitement. The Indians soon got tired of being targets for us to shoot at and took up the trail after their companions where we had left it and no doubt soon over- took them and over their camp fire had a good laugh over the panic they had caused and the trick they had played us. "On our way home a valuable mule belonging to A. G. Post and hitch- ed to the buggy died some distance west from where Burweil is now lo- THE MEMORABLE YEAR 1873 115 cated. Whether the cause was from a wound received during the fight, a sudden attack of colic, or from excitement, opinions have very largely dif- fered, and the facts have never been established. We reached home before night where Uncle Billie and the ladies, with tears in their eyes told us of the trick the red rascals had played on us. That portion of the Indians whose trail we had left on Turtle Creek, and who we supposed had left the local- ity post haste, had hid themselves in the hills and after we had passed they very cooly and deliberately returned and before the eyes of Mr. Post and the ladies, who were powerless to offer any resistance, drove off the rest of their horses, nine or ten in number. "I don't mean to infer that "Happy Jack" was a coward. While his actions were, to say the least, very strange, his superior knowledge of In- dians and Indian warfare may have shown him the folly of forcing a fight in which the settlers certainly appeared at a disadvantage against their better trained and better armed opponents, and thus saved our lives, if not our reputations as Indian fighters. "Thus ended the first conflict in the North Loup Valley between the pioneers and the savages, but it was not the last, as may be noted later on. The direct loss to owners was indeed a heavy one, as it represented many years of hard earnings. Estimated in dollars and cents It could not have been less than $1,500, but the indirect loss in retarding immigration and the development of the Valley was many times greater." In every way considered, this first experience with the Indians was a disastrous one, and satisfied even the most daring among the settlers that they were no match for the well-armed, hard-riding Sioux, who had been trained by the great Red Cloud. This was indeed a serious matter. Ac- cordingly a council was called, and after careful consideration Messrs. John Case and A. G. Post were delegated to report the raid to the Com- mandar.t uf the Department of the Platte, stationed at Port Omaha, and pe- tition the government for protection. As an immediate result the War De- partment, ever mindful of the welfare of the frontier settlements, ordered Captain Mix with a company of cavalry to make a scouting expedition up the valley. The soldiers spent a part of April, 1873, on the Loup; and then started on a return trip to Grand Island to report conditions as they found them here. The company made the return by way of the Middle Loup, having crossed the divide somewhere up in Loup or Cherry county. Just as they reached the site of present day Loup City in Sherman county, the terrible storm of April 13, of which more will be said hereafter, burst with sudden fury on the devoted heads of the troopers. So terrible was the blinding blast of the blizzard that the hardy men had to abandon their horses and mules in some plum brush, under a high bank of what is to this day called Dead Horse Run, to seek shelter in the little store building of Frank Ingram, one of the two houses which then comprised Loup City. For three long days the sixty soldiers comprising the company were im- prisoned here by the storm and when finally released it was to find their mounts, to the number of fifty, dead along the creek bottom. This meant 116 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP a march on foot through the snowdrifted hills to Cotesfield in Howard county, where the soldiers arrived after much suffering, cursing the set- tlers for causing them to leave their comfortable quarters in Fort Omaha to which they returned as soon as means of transportation could bo se- cured. In May of the same year a second command under Captain Munson came into the Valley and went into camp at "Happy Jack's Gulch " "While this," says Mr. Mortensen, "to some extent allayed the fears of THE MEMORABLE YEAR 1873 117 the community, it did nut disperse thorn. The Pawnee tribe was at that time on their reservation in what is now known as Nance county. The Sioux tribe had full sway over the northwestern part of the state. Be- tween these two hostile tribes a continual warfare was kept up and the trail between their reservations lay close to the North Loup Valley. Occasion- ally a raid would prove unsuccessful and the raiders would run out of pro- visions. And provisions they must have, either by begging or stealing, as best suited their purpose, from the poor settlers. An effort was made to get the soldiers to erect temporary quarters and remain in the Valley over winter, but the comforts and social privileges of Fort Omaha were too much for the settlers to overcome, and the effort failed. "The return of the soldiers to Omaha in the fall of '73 again brought fears and uneasiness to the settlers. Hunters and others would circulate reports that bands of Indians had been seen in this or that part of the county, and settlers in a neighborhood would often gather with their fam- ilies in some of the largest and strongest houses, from which scouting par- ties would be sent out in different directions, scouring the country in search of Indians and Indian trails. In some localities earth works were erected, behind which the settlers could gather with their families, in case of Indian outbreak." One of these fortifications was built near the pres- ent school house in District No. 6, Springdale Township. Traces of an- other may yet be seen at an elevation in the meadow-lands of the old Ash Post farm, owned by Jorgen Moller. This was the fort erected by the Post boys. Mrs. Emma Haskell, wife of O. S. Haskell, the founder of Ord, nar- rates the following graphic incident in one of these Indian scares — indeed the very first one, which resulted from the Sioux Creek fight. "Every prairie schooner that came," says she, "was hailed with delight for it meant more neighbors. The Baileys arrived in the summer of '72 and lived at Springdale in the Harter house while building their own. Dear Auntie Bailey! How good she was to me! I shall always love her for it. Here we all gathered at the time the Indians ran off the horses on the south side of the river — and what a scene it was! It requires an abler pen than mine to do it justice. "A few days before this a number of families had gone up the river to look for land. I do not recall the names of any except two families by the name of Chubbuck. I think the others all left. There was a sick woman with them. Her husband stopped with her at our house that she might rest, and I remember that they were people well advanced in life. It was he who afterwards told us the Indians were coming. He had seen Uncle Bailey up the river, who did not forget us. In the afternoon we saw a team coming at an unusual rate and wondered what was the trouble. It took him only a minute to say in excited tones, 'the Indians are murdering the women and children and burning the houses. See the smoke. I am sent here by Mr. Bailey to tell you to go to his house. Get up!' He whipped his horses qntil they fairly ran, whiJ§ the sj.ck woman, sitting 118 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP in the bottom of the wagon box was tossed and thrown from side to side as they passed through the prairie dog town, till I feared she would be thrown out, but she only demanded to go faster. In a very few minutes our horses were harnessed to the buggy, provisions and a few of. our most precious belongings put in, and I wanted to go fast too, for we also had seen the smoke. Orson said, 'see! there are no Indians in sight, we have plenty of time to get there before dark, and it would kill you to ride like that.' I think we were about forty men, women and children in one room that night. The wagons were arranged in a half circle around the end of the house having the entrance-way and the horses were placed in the corral thus formed. Next, lest the roof be set on fire by burning arrows, all tubs and buckets on the place were brought in filled with water. In the Clifton Hill, One of the Many Strange Loess Formations in Garfield county. crowding for standingroom, the water was spilled on the floor, babies cried, dogs barked, horses kicked, men talked very loud — and you can im- agine the rest. All the men had some kind of a weapon, even feeble mind- ed Dick Geary, and the wonder is that no one was shot. Long before morn- ing I was so tired I did not care whether the Indians came or not. There was a bed in the room, only it was taken by babies smaller than I. In sheer exhaustion, I think, I found what I supposed a vacant corner, for I remem- ber that Mrs. Prank Chubbuck gave me a good shaking and warned me that I was sleeping on her baby, (I suppose I owe that baby an apology to this day), so I slipped down by the foot of the bed onto a keg of onions and slept soundly until morning, when we scattered for our several homes." Now before going any further into our Indian history we should pause for a brief space of time upon a natural phenomenon which came so sudden- ly and was so awful in its effects that those who experienced its visitation will never be able to dismiss it from memory. We refer to the great snow- THE MEMORABLE YEAR 1873 119 storm which raged with terrible fury through the Valley from April 13 to 16. 1873. All prairie dwellers have had their experience with the western "bliz- zard," the dreaded winter stormwind of the plains, which is wont to burst into a marrow-chilling fury over the plain but lately bathed in a flood of sunshine, surprising man and beast far from home and shelter, tossing them about with all bearings lost, till chilled to the heart and exhausted they sink dying into the drift, the whistling, howling wind singing their last requiem. Of late years these storms have been less frequent and of shorter duration than in early days when the winds could sweep for hun- dreds of miles over the unbroken prairie. Perhaps the most destructive storm of this kind in Nebraska was the April storm of '73. Easter Sunday, April 13th, was remarkably mild, and gave every promise of coming spring. Plowing and seeding were already well under way and the settlers were rejoicing in renewed outdoor activity. As the day advanced the at- mosphere became murky and early in the afternoon a mild rain began to fall. By nightfall the rain was falling freely. But who could have dreamed of what was in store for the settlements! Sometime in the early night the wind veered to the northeast and later to the northwest, and burst with a roar over the Valley. The rain became frozen to a fine, powdery snow, which was hurled horizontally through space, stinging and blinding, working its way through the smallest aper- ture, and in a surprisingly short time had filled every cranny and corner in any way exposed. The first shock of the storm left the earth surprised and paralyzed in an enshrouding ice-sheet, which rapidly lost itself in heaping drifts of snow. Before morning men lay shivering in bed, so intensely cold was it getting; and cattle and horses, where not properly housed, were perishing. Dwelling houses and hay sheds were in many instances entirely buried. In places the settlers were unable to reach their barns and cattle sheds till the third day, and then at the risk of their lives. A few succeeded in feeding their stock a little grain — to get bulky fodder to them was practically out of the question. Heroic measures alone saved the settlements from great loss. Many a farmer saved his domestic animals by bringing them right in- to the house with the family. In the Dane Creek settlement the only loss of any moment befell Adam T. Morris, a brother-in-law of Sam A. and O. M. Stacy, who the preceding fall had filed on the southeast Quarter of section twenty-six, adjoining the fcownsite of Elyria, and who had just arrived with his family and stock at the George Miller dugout. When the rain began to fall Mr. Morris's best team was sheltered in a new barn built by Nels An- derson on the latter 's claim, one-half of a mile distant. When the storm had abated sufficiently to allow the owner to reach tbem, he found the stable drifted full of snow to the rafters and both animals dead. The fam- ily and the only remaining horse were saved from certain death by George Miller, who had them move from their prairie schooner into his dugout — family, horse and all. 120 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP George W. Larkin, down near Olean, found his shed full of snow on the morning of the first day. With almost superhuman effort he succeeded in extricating his ox-team from the drift. These he then led into the dug- out — the same in which the first county election was held — and for three long days shared his narrow quarters with his bovine friends. Austin Terry of the North Loup colony, lost his only span of horses, and Elder Ira Bristol of the same locality, his only cow. Elder Oscar Bab- cock awoke late in the forenoon to find the room in inky darkness. His dugout was entirely snowed under, and only after digging an eight foot tunnel did he find daylight. L. C. Jacobs, the county commissioner, had an unique experience He found it necessary to bring all his stock, horses,' cows, pigs and chickens into the one-room dwelling house. To make room for all he rigged quarters for his family up under the rafters, un a sort of a swinging platform. Here they spent several never-to-be-forgotten days. The great wonder was that the upper Valley escaped with as light a loss as it did. It is almost impossible for us now to conceive of the fury of this storm or to appreciate the amount of snow that fell. Thus John Shel- don of North Loup tells us that canyons forty feet deep were filled with snow to the ^ery top, and that it became hard enough for a man to walk across on the crust. Snow lay in the ravines till late in June. Farther down the Loup the losses were much more serious. We have already heard how Captain Mix. lost practically all his cavalry mounts at Dead Horse Run in Sherman county, and in Howard county which was old- er and had more to lose, conditions were still worse. "Horse stables and cattle corrals were covered with the whirling snow, and there the cattle and horses were obliged to remain without food, for so blinding was the rapid- ly falling snow, driven by the violent winds, that it was impossible that any human being could go to them to care for them. It was almost sure death for anyone to venture out even for a short distance from the house. During the storm nearly one-half the cattle in the county perished. "Among the settlers, a great deal of suffering was experienced. Sev- eral perished during the storm, the details of whose death is truly sad. "One of those who died was Miss Lizzie Cooper, who had taught the St. Paul school the previous year. Mr, Cooper was absent in Grand Island on business. The only son was also away. Mrs. Cooper and her two daughters, Lizzie and, Emma, were left alone. Lacking fuel, on April 16th, the girls determined to so to a neighbor's for relief. After carefully wrapping Mrs. Cooper in blankets and covering her in bed they started out. The cold was so intense and the snow so blinding they very soon lost their way. Still they struggled bravely on, hoping against hope, that they might reach some habitation and procure relief for their aged mother. Soon they began to be so exhausted that it was almost impossible for them to move. Seeing that there was now no hope of reaching the homes of any of their neighbors, they tried to reach an abandoned dugout in a canyon, which they thought they could find. Pressing on, sometimes stumbling, through the rough lands just off from the Cotesfield road, Lizzie soon drop- THE MEMORABLE YEAR 1873 121 ped from sheer exhaustion and could go no farther. This was partially un- der the bank of a canyon. Emma did all she could to urge her sister on, but it was impossible for her to move. Lizzie was soon dead. The devoted Emma remained with the dead body of her sister all that day and all night. Being partially protected by the bank above, the snow soon drifted over her, and this saved her life. By continued struggling she managed to keep from smothering. In the mornine she left her dead sister to try to find some habitation Half dead and nearly crazed from the effects of grief, hunger and cold, she rushed madly on, hardly knowing what she did. The storm had now abated, but the snow, driven by the heavy winds, made it almost impossible to find the way. As she passed the home of W. P. '•i'r^B' * • *» ■ ■ • • 9 * ■A - The Original Dowhower Log-house Six Miles North of Ord. Erected in 1872-'73. Wyman, on the farm of Capt. Munsen, she was seen to be rushing wildly on, sometimes on hands and knees, and sometimes on her feet. So nearly unconsciuus was she that she passed only a few rods from the bouse with- out seeing it. She was stopped, taken in and cared for. As soon as the poor girl could speak, she managed to let them know what had befallen her sister, and that her mother was left alone the day before. A party soon organized to go to the relief of Mrs. Cooper. ''When they arrived at the house they found she was gone. Looking for her on the road they frequently found pieces of clothing, and all the indi- cations that the woman had pushed on. frequently falling from exhaustion, and then recovering her strength had again struggled on. In a short time, her dead body was found, partially covered with snow and stark and stiff. It is supposed that on the day the girls started out she became alarmed at their protracted absence and started to look for them, andjsopn perished, 122 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP With a mother's guiding counsels and an older sister's love so suddenly withdrawn, Emma has since led a sad and lonely life." But the above were not the only lives lost in this terrible and long- to-be-rememered storm. Dillon Haworth and his family, consisting of his wife and two children, were living on a pleasant farm that they were just opening up on Spring Creek. Becoming frightened at the long continuance of the storm they started, it is supposed, to find a neighbor's house. At all events the dead bodies of the entire family, except the babe, one half year old, were found dead the next day after the storm some distance apart. The babe was the only one found alive, and she was clasped to her mother's breast. Such, in brief, was the April storm of '73, a storm which the hard- iest of the old timers cannot recount without an involuntary shudder. Indians and Grasshoppers. CHAPTER IX. "The Lord only knows which harmed the poor settlers the more, the prowling. Red-skins who were wont to sally forth from the hills and uplands or the green imps of satan the grasshoppers, which pounced upon us in bewildering hordes — both literally took the bread out of our mouths." — An Old Pioneer. THE SUMMER of 73 was a busy season in the settlements. White- topped prairie schooners with their quota of brawny homeseekers were now common sights in the valley. Everywhere were there signs of settlement. The older colonies steadily grew outward, and the space between them was steadily becoming smaller, till indeed farm-places occupied the river course in a continuous chain from Scotia to Willow Springs at the mouth of Jones' Canyon, and were even pushing beyond The Forks into the unor- ganized territory. From St. Paul and Loup City settlers were pushing northward along the Middle Loup and settling that part of Valley county. Early in '73 the foundations of Brownville, or Arcadia were laid and an in- teresting community, whose history will be chronicled in later pages, took its beginning. Much prairie was broken during the months of April, May and June, and quite a large acreage of sod corn planted The "back-settins" of the previous season was sown with small grain, or planted with corn and pota- toes. Considered as a whole the yield was fair; and this was indeed fortu- nate for disastrous years were even now to come upon the settlements. The summer passed away peacefully enough. The prowling Indian for some reason steered clear of the Valley, and had not since the Sioux Creek Fight molested any of the farmsteads. Fall and beautiful Indian summer came, and still no signs of him. But with the setting in of winter In- dian signs became numerous. And hunters and trappers began to encoun- ter small parties in the hills east of the river. Soon bands returning from unsuccessful raids upon the Pawnees, driven by hunger, openly entered the settlements, begging and stealing. This led to another fight, the most memorable in our frontier history — the so-called Battle of Pebble Creek. George McAnulty who was one of the chief actors in this tragic fray recounts the causes and chief points of interest thus: "During the spring and summer of '73, quite a number of settlers, attracted by the great beauty 124 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP of the valley at tbat point, and by the fertility of its soil, took claims in what was called the Goodenow settlement, the writer — then a boy of twenty-one — being one of the number, had homesteaded the laud now known as the Jas. Barr farm, near Burwell. On the east side of the river the settlement extended up as far as the old town of Willow Springs, or as it was known then, "the mouth of Jones' Canyon." The settlers were all more or less afraid of the wandering bands of Indians, that from time to time passed near the valley on their way to the Pawnee reservation, but as month after month passed in safety it seemed as if the Sioux had decid- ed not to favor us with any further visits. This feeling of security was sud- denly dispelled. "On the evening of Jan. 18, 1874, a cold, stormy Sunday afternoon, with the wind driving the snow in blinding sheets over the wild, unbrok- en prairie, in a lull in the storm, some hunters of which the writer was one, beheld a large party of Indians surrounding the residence of Richard McClimans, near Willow Springs. Mr. McClimans' family at that time, consisted of himself, his parents and his brother Newton, and that home was one of great hospitality, Mrs. McClimans being noted for her kindness of heart, extending to all a sincere welcome which was never lost on a weary traveller. But on this occasion the good lady's hospitality was sadly abused. The Indians dismounted, crowded into the house and pro- ceeded to hold high carnival. They devoured everything eatable in the house and were even then far from satisfied. They prowled around the place like so many wolves, eating everything they could find, finally kill- ing all the chickens within reach. And at that time chickens were very valuable on the frontier. At last, about three o'clock in the afternoon, without any friendly thanks for what they had received, they left the McClimans ranch, and to the relief of the family started up the river. "About half a mile above McClimans' was the home of the trappers, and who of the old settlers do not remember the trappers, as they were called. Their house was a red cedar one, strongly built. At this partic- ular time, Cy. Haney, Bill Wirt-z, the Sawyer boys, the Baker boys, Charley White (Buckskin Charley) and Marion Littlefield were out on a hunting and trapping trip, leaving Steve Chase alone at home; and just at the time of the Indian visit he was getting some wood in the canyon, a quar- ter of a mile from the house. The writer, from the opposite side of the river, saw the redskins break open the house and take possession. Know- ing the boys were away from home, I ran to Bob Hill's house and told him to come with me to see what they were after. We crossed the river on the ice and were nearly through the willows on the east side, when we saw them leaving the shanty, taking with them everything 1 of any value, skins worth perhaps a hundred dollars and all the clothing and provisions. It was a rich find for the rascals and they lost no time in making off with the booty. When we were within four hundred yards of the house the last Indian came out. his arms full of blankets and coats. Just as he was trying to mpunt his pony J fired at hjm. The ball must haye whizzed too cjose for INDIANS AND GRASSHOPPERS 125 comfort, for he dropped his load, jumped on his pony and soon overtook his party. When we reached the house we found it completely looted: not a thing they could carry off remained. About this tince Steve Chase came with his wood. He was. a picture of righteous indignation when he found what had occurred during his short absence. Late that night the rest of the boys returned home. They reported having seen Indians on Pebble Creek, three miles up the valley, where they had gone into camp. The Indians took a cow from Harry Colby's farm on their way and were having a royal feast. : 'A meeting was held that night at the trapper's shanty, and it was de- cided that I should notify settlers on the south side of the river as far down as the Post settlement, which I accordingly did, makinsr the trip from M. B. Goodc- now's to David Post's and return in about three hours. Unfortunately "Happy Jack" was not at home, being in camp about thirty miles up the river, where his traps were set. No one slept in the frontier settlement that night for it was known that in the morning the Indians would be asked to return all the stolen goods and pay for the property taken and destroyed, and if they re- 1used, then, large as the party was— about forty in number— it would mean a fight, even though we could muster George McAnulty of Scotia, as He Appeared only sixteen men. when he came to the Loup in 1873 "The next morning, Jan. 19,1874, was the coldest morning of that year, but in spite of this bright and early we were on the way to Pebble Creek, under the command of Charley White or as we knew him best, "Buckskin Charley." Just at dawn we were within three hundred yards of the big "tepee." Cautioning the men to keep silent, White entered the camp and demanded the return of the prop- erty. Here White no doubt made a mistake. He found the redskins breakfasting on the remnants of their last night's feast, and in no humor for compromise. Charley, who knew a little Sioux jargon, talked with the chief, who emerged from the teoee, took a cartridge from his belt, held it above his head, summoned his followers, and standing in their midst in the gray light of the morning uttered the Sioux war chief's battle cry, always terrible in its character. Many a time since «I have heard that same peculiar chant, but never when it sounded more awe-inspiring. We now saw that it was impossible to avert trouble. White rejoined his little command and ordered them to seek shelter under the bank of the Loup river. The Indians opened fire as we reached the bank. It was promplty returned, and for ten minutes the roar of musketry was 126 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP like thet in other days experienced at Rosebud Creek, the lonely bluffs of the Loup echoing the sharp crack of the rifles of white men and red en- gaged in mortal combat. It was soon discovered that owing to the extreme cold the shells were sticking in our guns, retard ins: our fire; and right here I must mention what I believe was the coolest act I ever saw a man do in time of extreme danger. Steve Chase, a little in advance of the rest A Second View of Jones' Canyon. of us, finding the cartridge stuck in his gun, sat down and cooly opening his pocket knife, proceeded to pick the shell out while the bullets flew so thickly around him that to this day it is a mystery to what strange provi- dence he owed his escape. "The Indians now divided, half of them crawling along to our rear, protected by a little ridge running parallel with the river. They saw we had the advantage of a perfect protection from their bullets. While we Indians and grasshoppers 127 were under the bank we could return their fire without exposing ourselves. It was to get better -range at us, that they divided. The first we knew of their intentions we were greeted by a volley from the southeast. At this juncture Marion Littlefield arose to fire. He exposed his head to the enemy and just as he pressed the trigger of his needle gun there was an answering report and he fell dead on the bank of the river. The shot that killed him was almost the'last of the fight. The Indians withdrew. What loss they had sustained we never knew, but that they lost several men was nearly certain. With heavy hearts we raised uurdead comrade and carried him further down the river to a place of safety. Here we kindled a fire to warm our guns, expecting every moment to be anain attacked by the now invisible savages. Mr. McClimans' wagon now arrived, arrangements hav- ing been made that we should have some supplies sent out to us in the field. The body of Littlefield was carried back to the settlement in this wagon, accom- panied by White and Haney. The rest of us went back to the battleground, but no Indians were to be seen. We dis- patched two of Lheir ponies left ou the field terribly wounded. About nine o'clock we returned to McClimans' ranch. In a little while reinforcements came, hut it whs decided not to follow the Indians, as by this time they had a fair start. "Thus ended the Pebble Creek fight. Tom Hemmett as He Looked back in the The flext day a sa( j paH . y passec j down Seventies ' the valley, the friends of Marion Little- field taking his boly to his home near Sutton, Neb. He was a prom- ising young man, only 21 years of age, and a favorite with all his friends. His death was a fearful blow to his parents and relatives and the sad affair cast a gloom over the whole settlement for a long time." The summer of '74 was blessed with an abundance of rain and warm weather. Corn grew rank and was surprisingly forward for the season of the year. The small grain too gave promise of exceptional yield. Farmers in the Valley were beginning to make preparations for harvesting and housing the crop which should at once place tnem in easy circumstances, when a calamity as complete as it was unexpected with one fell stroke de- stroyed all their calculations and for a time left them stunned and almost broken in spirit. It came in the shape of one of the plagues of ancient Egypt, and it is doubtful whether the Nile-dwellers could have felt greater dismay at the sudden down pouring of this curse than did the Loup-dwellers when — the "grasshoppers" came. Nothing perhaps in the natural history of our state has excited more 128 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP general interest than'the migrating locust. The particular species former- ly such a pest in our part of the country is the Rocky Mountain locust (Melanoplus spretus), and is native to the dry plateau-lands of the Rocky Mountains, lying between latitude 43 degrees and 53 degrees north. Its permanent habitat, according to the United States Entomological Com- mission of 1877, covered an area of about 300,000 square miles. "The most favorite breeding places in this area were the river bottoms and the up- lands or the grassy regions among the mountans." Whenever J;he weather conditions were favorable they hatched here in astonishingly large numbers. And the favoring conditions were exceptional dryness and warmth. In the early days two such dry seasons were sure to bring on a locust migra- tion. During the last twenty years, however, the character of these early breeding grounds has been greatly changed. "Settlment and agriculture have so restricted the permanent haunts in Montana, Idaho and Colorado that the danger from future incursions is very slight. Indeed the locust has practically been driven beyond the borders of the United States, and now breeds freely only in portions of British Columbia." After the insects hatch cut in the spring it takes about seven weeks before they reach a mature state. They go through five moultings and after the last, acquire wings. Their appetite becomes voracious, and as they are most numerous in hot and dry seasons when vegetation is scant, it takes but a short time for this to become exhausted. It is now that they manifest their peculiar instincts. With a common impulse they ta^e to wing, swarming in a southeasterly direction. They usually rise between 8 and 10 o'clock in the morning and continue their flight till the middle of the afternoon, when they come down to feed. A fall in temperature or a head wind suddenly precipitates them to the ground in great numbers. They move not so much in sheets as in great columns from one to five thousand feet thick, resembling great fleecy clouds propelled onward by some strong but hidden agency. Moving, as we have stated, in a south- easterly direction, those that leave their breeding grounds in southern Montana and Colorado, in spring will reach Nebraska in July, while those from northern Montana and Canada do not appear till August or September. An exceptionally destructive year was 1856, chen the insects swarmed over Nebraska, Kansas, some parts of Missouri and Texas, into Iowa and Minnesota, and through Colorado and Utah. In 1870 and 1871 they again threatened the states west of the Mississippi, and in 1873 committed very serious depredations. "The most seiious locust year known in the United States, however, was 1874 when enormous swarms invaded the settled portions of the Mississippi Valley west of the ninety-fourth meridian. Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Wyoming, Dakota, Minnesota, New Mexico, Indian Territory, and Texas were overrun by swarms from the northwest, mainly from Montana and British Columbia. "The loss in this region was estimated at $50,000,000 in the actual destruction of crops. In 1875 the young insects hatched in immense num- bers over an area embracing portions of Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri, INDIANS AND GRASSHOPPERS 129 entailing destitution and suffering among a population of 750,000 people. In 1877 the young insects died in great numbers and those which acquired wings flew toward the northwest in the direction of Dakota and Montana, the region of permanent breeding grounds." The month of July was about half spent when the locusts reached the North Loup Valley. Corn was "laid by" and in tassle; the small grain was heading and full of promise. Then dawned the fatal day. By noon a strange haziness overspread the clear, blue sky, and the bright sunlight took on a sickly, yellowish tint. Had anyone taken the trouble to look at the sun through some proper medium he would have discovered the cause of this gradual transformation in the day. Myriads of insects were flitting by the disk of the sun. But people were not looking for trouble and so allowed the phenomenon to go unnoticed. In a short time, however, everyone had cause to become wide enough awake. The clouds of locusts suddenly began to settle over the earth. With a strange whistl- ing sound of wings and myriad bodies they came on, pelting the appalled earth; hustling and tumbling they came, clinging to whatever they hap- pened to strike, devouring every planted thing from Indian corn to garden truck. At first some of the settlers made vain attemps to scare the pests from their fields, but this was usually rewarded by having the clothes literally eaten from off their limbs. As time advanced the number of insects grew. In places branches of trees are said to have been bent almost to the ground under their living burden. The corn fields were speedily stripped of their leaves, and soon all but the toughest portions of the stalk were devoured. We hear of thrifty housewives attempting to save favorite flowerbeds by spreading over them bedquilts and carpets for protection, who to their chagrin found the locusts as eager to devour the spreads as they were the flowers. Ah, those were sad days in the settlement! Gone were now the hopes and day dreams of many a sturdy pathfinder! The last dollar had with many been spent in the hope of speedy returns from good crops. What now would be the future? Bow to span over the coming winter and eke out an existence till another crop could be gotten became serious questions. Had it not been for the abundance of game in the adjacent hills and the logging iudustries, and more particularly still, the building of Fort Hart- suff, which gave work at good wages to scores of men up and down the valley, many would perforce have left their farms and returned, to the older settlements. Fort Hartsuff, It's Rise and Fall. CHAPTER X. We loved the wild clamor of battle, The crash of the musketry's rattle. The bugle and drum. We have drooped in the dust, long and lonely; The blades that flashed joy are rust only, The far-rolling war music dumb. — S. Weir Mitchell. THE PEBBLE CREEK fight led the settlers to petition the National Government to establish an army post on the upper North Loup River. A mass meeting was called to meet at Willow Springs and a committee con- sisting of Melville B. Goodenow, John Case, E. D. McKenney, W. A. Harper, and G. W. McAnulty were selected to bring the matter to the notice of Congress. The first ste'p was to draw up a petition and place the same in the hands of Hon. Frank Welsh, who represented the congressional district of which the Loup country at that time formed apart. Congressman Welsh seems to have recognized the urgency of the case, as he lost no time about getting the bill through the Lower House of Congress. United States Senator Hitchcock piloted the same bill through the Senate. It called for the appropriation of $50,000 to be expended for the purpose of establishing a permanent military post' near the head of settlement on the North Loup River. This appropriation was later increased to 175,000, but even this was increased. A fire in the partially completed structures swelled the eventual outlay to fully $110,000. The actual work of construction did not begin till September 1, 1874. Meanwhile Company C, 9th U. S. Infantry, Captain Samuel Munson com- manding, came into the upper valley and forthwith allayed all fear of further Indian trouble. Later in the summer the old Civil War veteran Gen. E. O. C. Ord — after whom the city is named — arrived and with him came a corps of engineers who should help locate the fort. The site chosen had some strategic importance, and was not far from the excellent gravel beds on Gravel Creek and but a short distance from the Clifton and Jones Canyons, which furnished the bulk of the timber needed in the construc- tion of the several buildings. The building of the fort in the fall of '74 was a most fortunate event in the history of the Valley. The swarms of locusts had earlier in the season destroyed every vestige of crops, and starvation actually stared the settlers in the face. FORT HARTSUFF; ITS RISE AND FALL 131 But just in the nick of time came the fort and with it an abundance of work at good wages for every man who cared to take it. The buildings were to be constructed from concrete of gravel and cement. This called for a great deal of hauling. There were the sand and gravel to be moved from the pits four miles south of the fort, and the timber to be cut and drawn from the canyons eight miles north. The lime was to be carted from the kilns on "Dr. Beebe's" ranch forty miles down 132 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP the river, and every sack of cement and all the finishing lumber came from Grand Island, eighty miles by road. Every team for miles up and down the river was requisitioned and every man and boy who could wield a shovel was given something to do. Indeed, settlers came all the way from the Platte River country and from the Middle Loup to seek work. A saw mill was erected near the site of the fort. Here all the rough timber for use in roofs and floors was prepared. In one way only did the erection of the fort work ruin to the valley. FORT HARTSUFF, ITS RISE AND FALL i33 Through the wholesale destructiun wrought in the cedar canyons. "The Jones Canyon," says Truman Freeland, "which is now a dreary waste of broken cliffs and naked ravines with scarcely a bush ten feet high, was then heavily timbered; the tall graceful pines stood by the thousands on the hillsides, while the cedars grew so close together in the canyons that a team and wagon could with difficulty make a way through them. Tall cottonwoods, three and four feet in diameter, were found here and there along the canyon. Boxelder, hackberry, ash and elm were also in abund- ance, and in places on section eight there towered fine groves of poplars. "This evergreen forest" he continues, "was the haunt of thousands of bright plumaged birds, and the shelter from the bitter winds of the sur- rounding prairie for hundreds of deer and other game-animals, and bore not the mark of a single stroke from the woodman's axe in 1871." But now, — what a desolation ! Fort Hartsuff was a fort in name only: it comprised a number of officers' quarters, barracks for the privates, commisary buildings, stables, and other structures arranged in a hollow square. The only defensible part of the fort was the waterworks, which lay on the hills back of the officers' quarters. This was protected by a circular stockade, accessible from the fort by an underground passage. This stockade which might well have remained a lasting memorial of the pioneer days was some years back ruthlessly destroyed and sold as old lumber. The completion of the first buildings in December, '74 was celebrated with a grand ball to which the entire country side was invited. Everybody was proud of Fort Hartsuff. Indeed it was from the first considered by officers and men alike, the prettiest and in every way the most desirable station in the Department of the Platte. Captain S. Munson was the first commander of the new fort. His Company was relieved April 14, 1875 by Company A 23rd Infantry, under the command of Capt. John J. Coppinger, a son-in-law of the statesmen James G. Blaine. A further change was made in December, 1876, when Company K., 14th Infantry, under Captain Carpenter, came to garrison the post. Finally, in November, 1878, Captain Munson again assumed com- mand, which he retained until the fort was abandoned in May, 1881. At the close of the Sioux War of '76 the broken remnants of the warring tribes were settled upon their reservations in the two Dakotas, and since that time they have never been much of a menace to Nebraska settlers. The Pawnees had already been removed to their new home in Oklahoma. It thus came about that Fort Hartsuff early outlived its useful- ness as a defense against the old-troublers of the valley, and it was accord- ingly discontinued as an army post. It^ later history is quite prosaic. The buildings, erected at such great cost to the government, were sold in July, 1881, to the Union Pacific Rail- way Company for the paltry sum of $5000. The reservation, comprising two sections, was sold later, at public auc- tion, apd purchased by Peter Mortensen. Ed Mitchell, and Mrs. J. L. 134 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP McDonough of Ord. It is now used as a stock ranch by Collison Brothers and Lindquist. Life at Fort Hartsuff was such as one usually finds at the American frontier post. There was the usual routine of drill and guard- mount, of scouting trip and hunt; the same old round of balls and gaming and idle- ness — a life which unfortunately too often has lead to vicious living in one form or another. Our fort was no exception to this rule, and a certain Return of the lost Alderman children: George and Emma Alderman, seven and five years old, wandered from home and were lost for three days. They were found by Sergeant Myers and Corporal Schreck under shelter of a washout, their only protection a faithful Newfoundland dog, (Retouched from an old picture in the possession of Judge Herman Westover of Ord.) looseness is yet to be marked in a few families of the old campfollowers, which remained in the vicinity where the post was abandoned. This should not, however, be taken as a reflection on the many good citizens of Valley, Garfield and neighboring counties, who were directly or indirectly identified with the fort. It is of interest to note that Joe Capron, the prosperous Ord real estate dealer, was quartermaster's clerk at the fort from 1878 to '81, FORT HARTSUFF, ITS RISE AND FALL 135 while George Clement of Mira Valley was one of the government contrac- tors who built the fort. Hon. Judge Norris, who now holds high office in the Philippine service was 2nd Lieutenant in Company K. Ed. Satterlee, for many years proprietor of the Satterlee House, and Arthur Schaefer whose business career in Valley county ended so sadly some years back, were both members of Company K. John Luke of Ord held the position as musician in Company .A., and George McAnulty of Scotia was a member of Company C. Village Organization. CHAPTER XI. - and over the roofs of the village Colums of pale blue smoke, like clouds of incense ascending, Rose from a hundred hearths, the home of peace and contentment. — Longfellow's Evangeline. THE Seventh-Day Baptists settled the rich bottom lands of the North Loup and Mira Creek valleys, and were well content to live pastoral lives in their new Arcadian realm. This seemed in fullest harmony with their simple religious system. The village organization had therefore no part in their system, but materialized rather in spite of it, as a part of our gregarious Teutonic system. The first step in that direction came with the creation of a post office, called North Loup, with Elder Oscar Babcock as postmaster. Prior to this time the nearest postoffice was at Cotesfield in Howard County. The Star route was extended to Valley county ia the fall of 1873, in charge of A. G. Gillespie as carrier and contractor. The latter at one time controlled the mail routes on both sides of the river between St. Paul and The Forks. His "Pony Express" and stage coach were for many years the chief means of communication between the settlements and the outer world. Thus we hear that Truman Freeland used to carry it from Cotesfield to Calamus and Willow Springs on the north side of the river, and that Mrs. S, S. Haskell at one time managed the route between Ord and The Forks (Burwell). Mr. Gillespie is still living, a hale and hearty patriarch, at his home in Scotia; he has just filled his one hundredth year, which marks him the oldest resident in the Loup country, if not indeed the oldest man in our state. Shortly after the postoffice was established the North Loupers decided to build a school house. These people were indeed people of education and k^ew how to appreciate good schools, and they proposed to make the right kind of a start. Accordingly a dug-out, fourteen feet square, was con- structed — a humble enoogh beginning, but inestimably better than nothing at all — and Miss Kate Badger, now Mrs. J. W. Holliday, was installed as teacher. This was in the summer of 1874. Here then we have the first school in Valley county. A few months later the county was districted for school purposes. All the south half was designated as District No. 1, with VILLAGE ORGANIZATION 137 North Loup as the centering point: the north half became District No. 2. with its only school held for a time in the Mortensen dugout, north of Ord, o in charge of Mrs. Emma Haskell, wife of Orson §. Haskell, one of the founders of Ord, 138 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP At North Loup the dugout school-house was early discarded for a neat little cedar log cabin, erected on Elder Babcock's land, at the edge of the of the present townsite. In the fall of 1873, W. J. Holliday opened a general store on his homestead, not far from the postoffi.ee and school house. Here naturally enough the center of interest came to be, and other buildings were soon springing up and making the beginnings of quite a village. Just then the grasshoppers came, and with the loss of crops every- thing came to a stand still. The village, though, managed somehow to survive, and was regularly surveyed and platted in 1877, in anticipation of the heavy influx of settlers which commenced the very next year. The original plat of North Loup, as may be seen from the cut herewith given, comprised six blocks only. The streets, denominated as 1st and 2d, and irpra um ran qtq m imm Lffij gia m m ff R S. m Q£P era aifl :<4ft agfa KTta mmn rim qiu !-p ma m ma tna m ffi\MjmJmt^$m FIFTH S T. A Plat of North Loup Showing the Original Townsite and a Number of Later Additions. A, B, and C, were all 80 feet wide. Lots were 4 to the half block; alleys were 25 feet wide. The miscellaneous records show that the townsite was surveyed and platted by C. H. Webster, that A. J. Davis and Eddie Bab- cock were chainmen, and J. A. Green, axman. The plat was subscribed and sworn to before County Commissioner Oscar Babcock, March 6, 1877, and received for record the 7th day of March, 1877. The year "78 marked the beginning of a steady growth in the valley. In '81 the railroad question came to the fore. The Republican Valley Road was contemplating a northward extension. North Loup township helped matters along by voting bonds to the amount of $4,000.00.- The grade was at once begun, and by the spring of 1882, had been completed from St. Paul to North Loup. As soon as the railroad became an assured fact, there Was a rush of settlers to the village, and soon numerous, substantial build- VILLAGE ORGANIZATION 139 ings were under erection. In a year the population increased from a hun- dred to more than double that number. This has stowly been added to in the course of later years till now, in 1905, the village counts 510 all told. North Loup can never expect to become much of a city, but is just a thrifty little residence town, an ideal place if one wishes to retire to a moral Chris- tian atmosphere, where churches are wide open and saloons and drinking places are kept closed. The history of Ord, the county seat and principal town in Valley county, really begins with the organic election in 1873, when it was made the official town of the county. But for more than two years the town was without name, nor was a single house built upon its site during that time. The county officials were satisfied to keep their books and records at their respective residences— in dugouts and in log cabins— and for all practical purposes they got along very well indeed. In May, 1874, the first steps were taken towards building the town. Then O. S. Haskell of Valley county, O. C. Haskell of Chicago, and A. M. Robbinsof Dixon, Illinois, who had purchased the land from the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad Company, made a first plat of the proposed town. For some time it was known among the settlers as "Chin City," a name which it took from A. T. Stacy, or "Chin" Stacy, so named for a cer- tain facial peculiarity, and who lived in the only house anywhere near the townsite, in what is now the Woodbury Addition to Ord. But chis is how it took its real name: During the summer of 1874. as we will remember, General E. O. C. Ord, who was then in command of the Department of the Platte, came into the valley to locate Fort Hartsuff ; and in honor of this old, war-scarred veteran it was decided to name the town Ord. In the summer of 1875 the town was carefully platted, and the first ef- forts were made to induce the people to build on the site. To this end the townsite company proposed to give the county every fourth block in the plat— eighteen blocks all told— on condition that the county build a court house of equal value with the eighteen blocks, on the townsite prior to July 4, 1880. The proposition was promptly accepted by the board of commis- sioners on behalf of the county. The townsite company now immediately executed a $2,000.00 bond for faithful performance. This instrument was approved by John Case, chairman of the board of commissioners Nov. 16, and properiy recorded Nov. 25th of the same year. The eighteen blocks were appraised at about $50.00 each, and on this basis the plans and specifi- cations of a court house to cost between $800.00 and $900.00 were drawn up and bids asked for. The contract was let to our friend the bridge builder, John L. Means of Grand Island, November 17, 1875, consideration to be even $800.00. SPECIFICATIONS OF COURT HOUSE. Building to be 16x24 feet; 9 feet high. Sills 6x8 inches. Studding 2x4, set 16 inches from center to center. •= CQ O VILLAGE ORGANIZATION 141 Lower joist 2x8, set 18 inches from center to center. Ceiling 2x4, set 16 inches from center to center. Collar beams 1x6 on every set of rafters as shown in plates, double, 2x4. Rafters 2x4, 24 inches from center to center. This unpretentious little structure was reared near the south side of the present Court House Square, whir.h was then a treeless plat of virgin prairie. After being used for court purposes for some twelve years it was removed to give place for the present, modern building. It was carted to the east side of the square, where it may yet be seen — a forlorn bit of the past. The court house was completed in February, 1876, and a couple of months later Herbert Thurston commenced the erection of the first resi- dence on the townsite. Nothing further developed till the fall of the year; then the grand old patriarch, S. S. Haskell, set up the first hostelry, gen- eral store, and postoffice. in what in those days was considered a very pre- tentious frame building, situated in the east part of the present town on the road from the river bridge. This structure has been variously known as the Ord City Hotel, the Dies House, and is now in a somewhat remodel- ed form, the Transit House, near the north side of the square. No further improvement was made in the townsite till the fall of 1877, when W. H. Mitchell moved his paper, the Valley County Herald, from Calamus, and began its publication in a small log building, moved from the above-named place, which had until this time, on account of its location near Port Hartsuff, been the principal town of the county. During the year 1878, there was quite a large immigration to the county, and Ord began to grow quite rapidly. In the spring, E. S. Harter moved his stock of goods over from Spring- dale Postoffice, and built a store twenty-two by forty feet in size, two stories high, and put m a large stock of general merchandise, hardware and drugs. Herman Westover, an attor- ney, moved here from Calamus and erected a dwelling. W. A. Hobson and L. E. Post each erected blacksmith shops and dwellings. W. H. Mitchell sold the Valley County Herald to J. C. Lee, then built a dwelling and began the practice of law. In September, H. W. Nelson moved his paper, the Valley County Courier from Vinton. There were now two newspapers until the Herald failed in November. The year was further noted for the Sylves ter s. Haskell, the Father of Ord. 0. S. Haskell The Ord Townsite Company. O. C. Haskell A. M. Robbins W. W. Haskell VILLAGE ORGANIZATION 143 removal from Calamus to Ord of Z. K. Ferguson with a good stock of gen- eral merchandise. Early in 1879, Joe Capron purchased Henry Nelson's paper, the Courier, and established the Valley County Journal. Soon afterwards Case & Mortensen opened the first exclusive hardware store in Ord, and indeed in the county. J. A. Collins and John A Bales established a harness shop, Copo & Westover opened a nice new law office and Henry Nelson built the first livery stable. S. L. R. Maine and H. M. An Early Plat of Ord Showing the Original Tow.isite, and S. S Haskell's and Finn Milford's Addition. Deegan moved down from Calamus and re-established themselves at Ord. S. S. Haskell, H. A. Babcock. M. E. Getter, J. H. Collins and others added to the growing little town by erecting dwelling-houses. When Fort Hartsuff was built it immediately became the center of in- terest in the county. Men with an eye to business tlocked thither; and, as might have been expected, a thriving little town was soon springing up on the very edge of the fort reservation. This was Calamus. For a year or more it was the liveliest town in the county. Under the patronage of Lieu- tenant Thomas Capron of the fort, the townsite was platted and quite a start wa^ made. Sixteen blocks and half blocks were laid off, pretentious streets, 100 feet wide, were planned, and every preparation was made for the expected boom. Stores of the several kinds were opened, and many residences sprang up. The town had the undivided support of the fort gar- rison and of many outlying settlers. But Ord was altogether too near, and 144 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP then came the rumors of the fort's speedy abandonment. The bubble burst and in three years' time the town was to all practical purposes — dead. f-R o NT ST. * CD 0.1 JSc / S.7 ■* A c, 5»- 1 cv. ST. 2N.D ST. * ■* ?!* ^ &l = '5 = Ocs & 3RD ST. TFi R¥V1 Efte Townsite of Calamus. As we have seen above, what was Calamus's loss became Ord's gain. For from Calamus came newspaper men, lawyers, physicians and business men. In many instances these not alone moved their business to Ord, but the very houses thither. Thus died ambitious Calamus. The following record and affidavit is taken from the Valley County Miscellaneous Record, No. 1, and is reproduced, spelling and all, just as it appears there: State of Nebr., Valley County To the Co. Clerk of said County : The Undersigned Surveyor being employed by Lieut. Thos. Capron, to Survey Mark and Plat the Town Site of the Town of Calamus in said Valley County according to law and for that purpose he did Employ George Ferguson and C. R. Hutchins, Sworn chanemen on Such survey and did on the 16th 17th Days of Sept proceed to Make such Survey of which the foregoing is a correct and True Plat of the same being made on the North West 3^ of the S. W. % of Sec. (11) Eleven in TowDship (20;, R. (15) W and extending South 36 ft. on the S. W. }£ of the S. W. }£ of said section (11 j Tp 20 N. of Range (lfi) Dated and signed this Sep 24th, 1874. Levi G. Pekce, Surveyor. Affidavit (to above) I G. Ferguson and C. R Hutchins do solemly sware that we will support the constitu- tion of the United States and the constitution of the State of Nebraska and faithfully and im- partialy discharge the duties of Chainmen according to law and the best of our ability. G. Ferguson Chas. R. Hutchins. W. D. Long, Filed Oct. 5th, 1874. Co. Clerk. In those early days towns were projected rather promiscuously on the virgin prairie by ambitious organizers. Natural demand had little to do with such enterprises; the idea was to make a demand. Thus the town of Vinton came into existence. In 1876 the town was planned but very little was accomplished for a couple of years. Early in 1878, Henry W. Nelson VILLAGE ORGANIZATION 145 established a newspaper there, which he called the Valley County Courier. For some months this courageous boomer did ail in his power to attract settlers and investors to the new town, but so seemingly hopeless was the outlook that, despairing of success, Mr. Nelson moved with his paper to Ord. On Nov. 18, 1878, the Burlington and Missouri River Railway Company made an out-and-out donation of the townsite. but even now no marked progress was made. The Vinton Townsite Association was incorporated May 11, 1882, and the following well known men were elected directors: H. C. Perry, Thomas G. Bartlett and A. W. Travis. The plat on file locates the town in the S. W. i of the S. W. i of Sec. 7, in Township 18, Range 14 West. Sixteen blocks were platted ; of these, block six was designated as the "Public Square." But the town had no fu- ture ; there was no demand for another town within seven miles of Ord, and Vinton too — died. Of the four towns here mentioned Calamus had a meteoric existence and then died; Vinton was still-born and came to nothing; North Loup has be- come a prosperous and promising lit- tle city; and Ord has developed into a strong, progressive business Vinton Townsite. center. It is almost pathetic now in the new Ord of 1905, with her many business houses and fine residences everywhere springing up, to read of the slow progress of those early days. Years of grasshoppers and droughts, of hailstorms and windstorms, all did their share in keeping her in the embryonic state. But when she finally burst into bloom it was done with a substantiality engendered in the years of rest. The above statement should however be qualified somewhat. The first half of the decade 1880-90 was indeed remarkable for steady growth and substantial progress. The general standstill in affairs came later as a result of poor crops and hot, blasting winds which for a time threatened ruin to all the Valley The following paragraphs on "Later Improvements" and "Local Mat- ters" in Ord of 1882 are quoted verbatim from Andreas's History of Ne- braska, and should now after almost a quarter century prove interesting reading, and at the same time impress the reader with the many great changes that have come to the County Seat since that time: '•In 1880, the little village began to make rapid progress indeed. So great was the improvement that it is impossible to mention it in detail. About thirty- five buildings were put up. Over one haff of these were busi- ness houses. The toUl value of buildings erected that year is estimated at $21,225 The population had by the end of the year increased to 250. 146 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP "During the years 1881 and 1882, Ord continued to progress steadily, and its population will number about 500. All branches of business are well represented, and the trade of the town is in a prosperous condition. On November 8, 1881, bonds amounting to $5,000, were voted to the Union Pacific Railroad for the purpose of securing the early building of the rail- road up the North Loup Valley. •'In 1881, the entire town was threatened with destruction by fire, Though the village was saved, the livery stable of H. W. Nelson was burned to the ground. "In the spring of 1882, a fire broke' out on the south side of the public square. It was caused by a defective flue. Before it could be stopped, several buildings, including the office of Judge Herman Westover, were completely destroyed. "Ord was incorporated as a village on June 23, 1881. The following is the first Board of Trustees appointed on the above date by the County Commissioners: H. G. Rodgers, S. S. Haskell, B. C. White, R. P. Milford and H. W. Nelson. "Manufactures. — The Ord Plouring and Grist Mill was commenced in the year 1880 and completed early in 1881, by R. P. Milford. It was built at a cost of $5,000, and for the quality of flour manufactured, it is second to none in the state. "In 1880 John Drake & Co., started a brick yard and the first year about 100,000 bricks were manufactured, since which time the yard has been kept up and a very superior quality of brick is made. "Banks. — The Valley County Bank was established in October, 1880. A general bank and collection business is done. The affairs of the bank are in a prosperous condition. J. D. Bacon is President, and Frederick L. Harris, Cashier. "The Ord City Bank was established and commenced business on March 15, 1882. A general loan and collection business is done, and the bank starts in with very favorable prospects. H. C. Metcalf is President, and George A. Percival, Cashier. "Hotels — Besides the restaurants and boarding houses the hotels are two in number. The Ord City House is the old hotel built by S. S. Haskell, and is now owned and operated by James Dies, who keeps a good hotel. "The Satterlee House, E. D. Satlerlee, Proprietor, is centrally located, is well kept, and is doing a good business. "Churches. — The different church societies are represented by the Methodist Episcopal, Baptist, Presbyterian and Seventh-day Baptist de- nominations. The first two named have capacious and comfortable houses of worship, which were completed in the spring of 1882. All these societies are liberally supported by the moral and intelligent citizens of Ord. "Schools. — The Ord school is provided with able instructors, and is well sustained by the intelligent and education-loving citizens. One of the first things looked to in the foundation of the town was a good school, and no money or labor has been spared to make it such a one. VILLAGE ORGANIZATION 147 "Societies. — Ord Lodge, No. 90, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, has an organization of over fifty members. The society owns a hall and are in a prosperous condition. The order was organized December. 1880, with thirty-six members. W. J. Wilson was the first Noble Grand. "Foote Post, No. 40, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized late in the year 1880, with W. H. Williams Post Commander "Pilot Lodge, No. 57, Independent Order of Good Templars, was or- ganized at a quite early date. They have a large and working member- ship. "Newspapers. — The Valley County Journal is published here by Capron & Wolf It is a bright and well edited weekly, Republican in politics, and a five-column quarto in size. The Journal was founded in February, 1879, by J. H. Capron, who had purchased the Courier and changed the name, and published it but a few weeks until his office was burned, when the pa- per discontinued for a short time, until a new Office could be fitted up. Since that time the Journal has continued to be published. In August, 1881, Charles E. Wolf purchased a half -interest in the paper. "J. H. Capron came to Nebraska in September. 1874. and located at Fort Hartsuff, where he was Quartermaster's clerk until December, 1875, when he went to Manitowoc, Wis., and took charge of a newspaper pub- lished there until February, 1878, when he again entered Government employ in Wyoming Territory until December, when he located at Ord, and soon afterward started the Journal. He was born in Beloit, Wis., Sep- tember 14, 1856. He learned the printer's trade in the office of the Free- port, III., Journal, beginning in 1871. and remaining until going to Fort Hartsuff, Neb. He was married February 15, 1882, to Miss Mar.y F. Ramsey. "Charles C. Wolf, the junior editor of the Journal, came to Nebraska in June, 1881, and in August he purchased a half interest in the Journal. He was born in Freeport, 111., March 3, 1855. He learned his trade in the office of the Freeport Journal, beginning in 1872, and working there until he removed to Ord. "The Ord Weekly Quiz is a bright and sparkling paper, Republican in politics, and was founded on April 6, 1882, by Will Haskell, of Chicago. The paper starts out with good prospects for future success." The Middle Loup and Arcadia. CHAPTER XII. The Creator's richest blessings have been given unto thee, Nebraska, dear Nebraska. The air with incense laden blows across thy prairies free, Nebraska, dear Nebraska. Loyal hearts are beating true, dear Nebraska, e'er_for you; Thy glory ne'er shall dim nor honor fall. Over valley, hill and plain shout again the glad refrain: Our Nebraska, dear Nebraska, leads them all. Will M. Maupin. "\X7"HILE we have been telling the story of the North Loup, the Middle * * Loup in Valley county and its history has not for a moment been lost sight of. It was indeed purposely held back for the present chapter in as much as this part of the work really forms its own unit whole. For the beginnings of the Middle Loup settlement it becomes neces- sary to go back to the spring of 1873, when the pioneers arrived. First came one George McKellar, together with his father and mother. He settled a claim which later has been known as the John Wall farm, near Arcadia. Mr. McKellar was a man of irascible temperament. When under the in- fluence of liquor he was positively dangerous. To him belongs the unenvi- able notoriety of having been the first person tried in Valley county on a criminal charge. Porter Brown and family arrived from Louisa county, Iowa, during the early days of April, 73. He had just reached the protect- ing woods on Hawthorne Creek when the terrible storm of April 13 broke. As good fortune would have it shelter was found in a trapper's cabin, which alone saved him and his devoted family from certain death. Porter Brown entered a claim near the present townsite of Arcadia. During the summer of 73 the "yellows" were more than usually destructive in the fruit sections of Michigan. They came to Berrian county and there ruined the peach-orchards of Mingerson Coombs, who in despair left the Wolverine State to seek his fortune in the West. Thus it came about that "Ming." Coombs arrived on the Middle Loup early in September. He immediately took a homestead and a timberclaim, lying respectively two and three miles from the present-day Arcadia. About this same time a widower by the name of W. H. Fradenburg arrived and took a claim two miles east of Arcadia. Alonzo Fradenburg with family THE MIDDLE LOUP AND ARCADIA 149 was the fifth settler to come into the settlement. Next spring came Samuel A. Hawthorne with family, and settled near the present townsite. It fell to the lot of Boone Hawthorne to settle where Arcadia now stands. To narrate in full the story of these first comers would in reality be to retell the narrative of the North Loup settlements. There was the building of suitable dwelling-places, and the hauling of red cedar logs to older settlements. Corn was planted, and then came the locusts in great swarms, destroying every vestige of planted things. When the Indian scares fell upon the North Loup Valley, the Middle Loup was affected also. A stockade was erected on W. H. Fradenburg's farm, whither the settlers might congregate at the first intimation of danger. Fortunately, however, the settlers were not troubled by hostile bands. Several times much excite- ment was caused by the approach of begging Pawnees, who, as some of the settlers will have cause never to forget, were mistaken for the terrible Sioux. At first the settlement was practically isolated from the outer world. At lenght. in 1874, a post office was opened on Samuel A. Hawthorne's place, and mail was then brought in from Loup City twice a week. When it came to the matter of naming the post office all were united in calling it "Brownville" in honor of Porter Brown, who was considered the real father of the settlement, George McKellar having been eliminated from consideration through his own misdeeds. It soon appeared, however, that there was already one Brownville in the State; then the present euphoneous name — Arcadia — was adopted. " Arcadia has from the earliest time been noted for her interest in educa- tion. The colonists had no sooner become settled in their new home than they determined to open a school for the education of their children. A teacher was found in the person of Mingerson Coombs, and the sod house of Boone Hawthorne furnished the necessary school-quarters. Here then was the school taught. Seven children, all told, assembled daily from the sod-shanties scattered up and down the valley, and here was laid the foundations to the learning of many men who are making the history of Arcadia today. But soon there arose a cry for better accommodations for holding school. Why not issue bonds and build a structure worthy of the community? Thus argued one Ingersoll from Loup City, and he found a willing tool and co- worker in George McKellar, who together with Samuel Hawthorne com- prised the school-board. It was proposed to vote bonds in the sum of $4000.00 which Ingersoll was ready to accept in lieu of cash, provided of course that the contract be given him. A hurried election was held and the bonds were declared carried. But the proceedings were suon found illegal, as it was quite apparant that the notice provided for by law had not been given. A second election was ordered, and again, after some "strenuous'^ work on the part of McKellar chiedy, the bonds carried by a small majority. The sum palled fpr was now $3,000.00, Ingersoll got the bonds and 150 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP Hon. F. M. Fries of Arcadia. the contract for the school house. The site chosen was about one mile east of the present town. Here the work of erection was commenced. The framework was actually raised: but that was as far as the work ever pro- ceeded. Iueersoll left for parts unknown and the new community was left wiser though poorer for their experience Much bad olood was engendered as a result of this fiasco. Staunch Samuel Hawthorne had bitterly opposed the bond deal, and as a result had trouble with George McKellar, who' was arrested on a charge of assault and battery. The prisoner was carried overland to Peter Mortensen's dugout, three miles north of Ord, and there for the first time in the history of Valley county was a man tried on a criminal charge. Orson S. Haskell presided as judge and after a careful hearing and much delibera- tion, fined the defendant a good round sum of money, and then let him go with an admonition to keep the peace or worse things would befall. It may not be altogether out of place here to follow out the checkered career of this George McKellar, the first settler of the Middle Loup. He, as we have said, was ever quarrelsome, and this was particularly true when he was in his cups. It appears that he had fallen out with a man named Chapman, who lived across the line in Sherman county, about a pig. In February, 1877, the two chanced to meet in 'Loup City, when McKellar was very much under the influence of liquor. Chapman went into a grocery store there to purchase some tea, and as he came out, was shot by McKel- lar and fatally wounded. A surgeon was called but the victim died within forty-eight hours. Immediately after the murder, McKellar coolly saddled his horse and rode away, while the men who stood about did not attempt to stop him, as they were waiting for the sheriff to procure a warrant for his arrest. After the escape followed a week ~of excitement in pursuit of the criminal. A reward of $500.00 was offered for his arrest. After a week, however, he was brought to Loup City, by his own father and given up. He was then placed in jail and securely guarded until the time of his trial in April. He was found guilty and sentenced to the State penitentiary for life. Here, we are told, he was shot and killed by a guard some years ago, while attempting to escape. Thus ends the life story of George McKellar, the first settler on the Middle Loup in Vallev county. The story of the Middle Loup in Valley county is of late years centered in the rise of Arcadia. The first postoffice it will be remembered was es- tablished on the homestead of Samuel A. Hawthorne, a short distance from the present townsite. For some years no move was made to build a town. The settlers made Loup City and St. Paul their trading points. This seems a long distance for us now to go to dispose of one's butter and eggs and to get groceries in return ; but in early days the inconvenience of the thing THE MIDDLE LOUP AND ARCADIA 151 was not taken into consideration, and then, too, all in all considered, time was not so valuable as now. In 1880 there came up the Middle Loup a man, every inch of him a practical business man — this was John Wall, today known as one of the grittiest and most successful lawyers and business men in his part of the state. It struck him forcibly that the lands adjacent to the river bottom and Hawthorne Creek would make an ideal site for a town. The valley was fast filling up with settlers now and the railroad was bound soon to follow upon their trail. So why not stake out a town and become its founder! The project soon took form and Boone Hawthorne's homestead was chosen for the original townsite. While the beginnings were made in 1882 the town was not properly platted till some three years later. The plat was put on record, Oct. 3, 1885, and shows that Parley Round, Alice Round, John Wall and Isabella Wall were all associated in the new enterprise. The first store in town was a general merchandise establishment, oper- ated by Ed. Puller. W. B. Reynolds soon afterwards opened a hardware store. Then came W. S. Owens with a harness shop and George Hastings with another general merchandise store. The Landers Block and the first good hotel were erected and Mrs. Sylvina Gilchrist moved the postoffice to town from her farm one and a half miles out from the new site. These business places were practically all the accessions that the town could boast for several years. But the last half of the decade 1880-'90 saw substantial additions made to Arcadia, both in the business quarter and the residence portion of the town. Then came that season of disasters, 1890-'91. In the fall of this year th^ very heart was burned out of the business street. Some eight leading firms were put out of business, several of them never to reopen. To this day the scars of the conflagration can plainly be seen. And now right on the heels of the first calamity came the first dry season and Arcadia naturally enough came to an absolute standstill. From 1891 to 1896 and even later the young town saw some distressing times. Many of the popula- tion became absolutely disheartened and pulled stakes and left the country. A number of houses were actually moved from town and transformed into farm- dwellings. Arcadia was on the retro- grade. But this is only telling over again the story of every other town in the Valley. By 1900 the rallying point had been . Hon. A. E. Bartoo. reached. The population was then 350. In 1902 it reached 374, and in 1905 it has increased to nearly 700. Modern dwelling houses are springing up in every part of town. John Wall has 152 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP lately completed a fine brick business bouse to take the place of the one de- stroyed by tire some time ago, entailing a net loss of $25,000; an up-to-date Odd Fellows' Hall is under construction and ground has been broken for the new Kinsey bank building. Substantial cement walks are fapidl.y sup- planting the old wooden structures; beautiful shade trees and well kept lawns begin to mark a prosperous, growing community. The Arcadia Champion sets forth the year's growth in the following language: WHAT wit HAVE DONE. A summary of the improvements which have been built and are now in building or for which contracts have been let might prove interesting. Here is the list: Mrs. Salisbury, cottage $ 800.00 Mrs. Salisbury, residence i . 1000.00 O. D. Henyon, cottage 1. 750.00 A. Lane, house 500.00 Arthur Lane, house . 300.00 H. E. Sawyer, cottage 650.00 E. H. Peck, cottage 500.00 E. P. Milburn, residence., i 1 1250.00 C. Landers, cottage 800.00 Peter Christian, two houses 500.00 F. H. Davis, residence 1000.00 F. H. Kinsey, residence / 3000.00 C. O. Blomquist, residence ' 1400.00 H. O. Cooley, residence 1150.00 G. H. Kinsey, barn lf.00.00 G. H. Kinsey, bank \ 4000.00 Odd Fellows' Hall and Opera House 6000.00 W. L Phillips, lumber office and sheds.. 1500.00 M. L. Fries, lumber sheds . . . 700.0(3 J. P. Leininger Lumber Co., ldmber office and sheds 3000.00 This foots $30,300. Comment is unnecessary. Bring on your improve- ments, you towns. And again a week later: Besides the sum of nearly $35,000 that is being spent in new buildings in this city this year, the following sums have been expended in building additions to buildings already here: Peter Christian \ $1000.00 E A. Donnell 350.00 E. L. Quinton 300.00 S. E. Leininger 100.00 D. O. Hawley 400.00 G. W. Scott 350.00 J. M. Robinson 350.00 E. G. Robinson 200.00 H. H. Waggoner 300.00 W. L. Bruner 150.00 Besides this there have been cement sidewalks built by Hastings, Raish. Boyce, Cooper Bros, and Landers at a cost of about $40 each. This adds $4,000 more to the amount spent in improvements this year, which THE MIDDLE LOUP AND ARCADIA 153 added to the $35,900 as shown in the Champion of last week makes a total of over $39,000 spent in improvements in this city this year. A chronicle of the Middle Loup Valley would not be complete without a passing glance at Lee's Park, lying some five miles southwest from Ar- cadia. The "Park" is a beautiful valley lying on the border line of Valley and Custer counties, right between the Middle Loud river and Clear Creek. It is surrounded with hills and unfolds itself in many gentle undulations. This remarkable valley, containing some 4-5000 acres, is one of the choicest farming and fruit raising regions in the entire state. The soil is a rich, dark loam, capable of withstanding almost any amount of dry weather. The valley takes its name from the first settler, James Lee, who reached the hills overlooking it in September, 1874. The wild beauty of the scene struck a romantic chord in this pioneer's breast, who immedi- ately selected a choice spot at the center of the valley and squatted there. In '75 he pre-empted one quarter and entered an adjoining quarter as a Home of Hon. A. E. Bartoo at Arcadia. timber claim. Thus settlement was begun. Mr. J. L. H. Knight, one of the enterprising stock raisers and farmers of Lee's Park, may here be allowed to take up the thread of the story. He says: "Mr. Lee kept bachelor's hall in a sod house, and began to subdue the native soil. He evidently succeeded, as his first wheat crop of one acre testified. He obtained from it forty bushels of wheat, which is supposed to be the largest yield ever raised in the park. The following spring he continued his operations on the farm, and planted some trees on his timber claim, but the grasshoppers again found him, a,nd ate up his corn crop, and also all of his small trees. During these years, as hunters and adventurers passed through, they occasionally stopped at the bachelor's sod mansion, and the fact of his being the only settler, and working with his trees on his 154 THE TRAIL OF'-THE LrOU-P timber claim, caused the travelers to name the valley "Lee's Park." Here then this settler dwelt, year after year, in solitude— farming, planting trees, and doing his sewing, cooking and washing. He tried to get others to lo- cate, but no one volunteered. Nearly four v ears had passed by, and his courage, which had remained firm for'#ears, began to wane, and he at last decided to leave his beautiful half ^section of land. "About this time, however, Frank Wright offered to locate in the park, providing Mr. Lee surrendered to him his pre-emption, on which was his house and well. This Mr. Lee agreed' to do, and soon after, Mr. Wright started to claim his new possessions. On his way he fell in with some land seekers who seemed to be headed for Lee's Park, so they went together and on arriving at Mr. Lee's, Wright asked for the papers, which were im- mediately surrendered. S -on after, however, this Mr. Wright sold the place for $25 to F. E. Morrison. These laud lookers were William and Jos- eph Murray, who, in February, 1878, took claims in the park, and their families arrived in May the same year. Soon after this, in March, Benja- min Knight located in the Park, and returned to his Wisconsin home to claim the hand of his "best girl," and together they journeyed to their frontier home. From this time on, settlers flocked in rapidly, and James Lee, no longer alone, decided not toj leave. His pre-emption right, how- ever, being gone, he proceeded to the extreme end of the park and filed on a 160-acre piece as a homestead, on the bank of the little stream after- wards known as "Lee's Creek." "In July Messrs. Overton, Chandler True, Jay Hamlin, George Ham- lin, Jr., E. Stephens and William Vanalstine settled. In August, T. J. Johnson and Amos Smith; ihen followed Parish Freeman and his son Charles; William Hall, Joseph Peacock, and James Tnompson. In 1879 Edward Knight, Phillip Lynch, James Wisely, N. Mehrhoff, Nelson Pot- ter, Sam Minchell and Mr. Abel located here. In 1880, David and Archie Todd, F. E. Morrison, James Bradford, and Thomas, John and Sam Ber- ridge arrived. Next year J. L. H. Knisht settled permanently here with his father, Edward Knight, who had arrived two years prior to this. The early settlers of Lse's Park underwent many hardships and priva- tions. Corn stalks and willows were the main reliance in those days for fuel. The mail service at first was not very good; for a while their post- office was at Loup Ci'y, a distance of twenty-two miles; afterwards there was an office established at Wescott, which was twelve miles distant, but shortly it was arranged to have an office on Clear Creek, four miles west of the park. This was quickly followed in the fall of 1878 or '79 with Uncle Sam's locating one in Lee's Park. "During the fall of 1878, the first district school meeting was held in Lee's Park, which was then organized as Joint- District No. 11, of Custer and Valley counties. This meeting was held at the house of Parish Free- man, and it was decided to build a sod school house, which was completed the following spring. During the summer of 1878, a Sunday School was organized with Benjamin Knight, as superintendent. It was. h^ldj.frpm THE MIDDLE LOUP AND ARCADIA 155 house to house, and occasionally Father Cook, a Baptist minister living on the Middle Loup, came over and preached. After the schoolhouse was built the Sunday School and preaching was held there. This sod school, house was occupied for years, until it was declared unsafe, when a sod building was rented of P. E. Morrison, to hold school in. During these years, the school district being large, and in two counties, caused much dis- agreement. Some wished it divided, while others wished it to remain as it was. Finally the south end was allowed to go off with District No. 91. This, however, did not settle the matter, and school meeting after school meeting was called, which finally resulted, in 1889, in dividing the district on the county lino. The following summer, these districts built new frame schoolhouses, one in Custer county, and one in Valley county. "In April, 1884, the town of Lee Park was laid out in Custer county on the town line, and the same year, the Lilly and Houder addition to Lee Park was laid out, adjoining the original town, and in Valley county, with the postuffice in Valley county. Then came quite a boom for the new town. A general merchandise store was built by Lilly & Houder, to which the postoffice was removed; then followed a blacksmith shop, a hotel, a wagon shop, and a feed stable. This little town was progressing finely when the B. & M. railroad concluded to outdo the U. P. railroad, and so built past Loup City, the terminus of the U. P. railroad, and stopped at Arca- dia, five miles from Lee's Park. The little town held out for a while, but the railroad town of Arcadia took away its vitality, and after some strug- gles, the town of Lee Park was no more. All the buildings were torn down or removed, and an attempt was made to take away even the post- office. The attempt was nearly, or quite successful, as the office was actu- ally removed to Arcadia, but prompt action was taken by patrons of the office, and an order came for its return, only a day after its removal. The posioffice was afterwards removed from Valley county across the line into Custer county, where it still remains. The fact that originally the post- office was in Valley county, and is now in Custer county, has caused some confusion as to the real location of Lee Park, some thinking it in Valley and some in Custer county. The name of the town and postoffice has also been confused with the name of the valley. Originally the postoffice had the same name as the valley, but Jay Hamlin, while postmaster, had the name of the office changed to Lee Park, consequently the name of the post- office is Lee Park, and the name of the valley is Lee's Park. "The farmers of Lee's Park are honest and industrious, and are not of the shifting kind. Most of the old settlers are still residing here, and seem to have no idea of soon changing their location. This makes it difficult to purchase a farm in Lee's Park, and when one is sold, it is at good figures." The Further History of Garfield County. CHAPTER XIII. Everywhere is the grasping hand, An eager adding of land to land' And earth, which seemed to the fathers meant But as a pilgrim's wayside tent, A nightly shelter to fold away When the Lord should call at the break of day, Solid and steadfast seems to be. And time has forgotten Eternity! — Whittier, the Preacher. THE story of the first comers to Garfield county has been touched upon in a former chapter. It remains for us to tell, in the passing, some- thing further about their frontier experiences — for be it kept in mind, they Were now the extreme outpost on the north. The Battle of Pebble Creek, Jan. 19, 1874, was distinctly their fight. It was fought practically in their midst and one of their number lost his life in the fray. Then relief came With the building of Port Hartsuff. For two years the Indians kept to the hills and were rarely seen. But the ereat "Indian year" — 1876 — was at hand, growing out of the gold discovery in the Black Hills and the conse- qupnt expulsion of the Red Man from those favorite haunts. Everywhere the Sioux were on the war-path. Even now it is doubtful whether there would have been anv trouble in the valley had not the settlers themselves precipitated the trouble. The story, in brief, of the last encounter between the settlers and the Sioux Indians — the socalled "Battle of the Blowout" — is as follows: A small band of Indians was discovered in the hills near Jones' Canyon. The settlers, aided by local trappers and gold seekers on their way to the Black Hills, immediately took the trail and, after a running fight of several miles, brought the redskins to bay in a large blowout above Pebble Creek. A messenger had meanwhile been sent post haste to Port Hartsuff for rein- forcements. A young and inexperienced lieutenant by the name of Hyle led a squad of soldiers to the battleground. In a ridiculous and unwarranted charge upon the blowout First Sergeant Dougherty fell mortally wounded. The besiegers now realized the folly of trying to drive the Indians out of their excellent retreat, and accordingly settled down to a siege. But, strange as it may seem, that very night the Indians escaped under cover of darkness, and this in spite of the cordon of men surrounding the blowout. Mr, C, H. Jones has written his version of tjie pattle, wfricfr I panpok THE FURTHER HISTORY OF GARFIELD COUNTY 157 forbear repeating here. He has retold the story so often to appreciative listeners these thirty years past that it has inadvertently become somewhat enlarged. His personal prowess especially seems to be greatly overdone. But this touch of egotism may be readily overlooked in the lace of the fact that the story is very interesting: ;i In the spring of 1876 the Sioux were on the war-path. One morning Tom Hemmett came down the canyon from his claim just as we were eating breakfast, and coming to the house asked me 'what those bareheaded men were doing up there on the hill?' I asked, 'where did you see any bare- The North Loup River near the Old Mill. Burwell. (By the Courtesy of Mrs. Anna Johns.) headed men?' 'Right up there,' looking over the top of the hill about 350 yards from the house. 'Bareheaded men, h— 1! they are Indians,' I yelled, and grabbing my gun went around the point on a double-quick. I went up a 'pocket' and peeked over very carefully but they were gone. I went to the spot and discovered tracks and followed the trail until I saw they were headed for the west canvon. Running back to the house I sent Tom down the valley to get out the boys and have them meet me at the forks of the west canyon. "I went back, took up the trail and followed the Indians. They knew they had been seen and had stopped just over the bank of a canyon half way between the east and west canyons and were lying down watching the back trail. Instead of following the trail I trotted up the west can>on. I went up very cautiously, knowing almost exactly where they would cross it. Every point I approached very carefully, looking through the grass at the top, and lucky I did so, for at the last one I found them, not more than 10Q yards distant and on the lookout over the back trail. My heart thumped so 158 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP loud I was afraid tbey would hear it, but I guess they didn't, for in about twenty minutes they moved west. I waited a few minutes, then went up the bank and peeked again. They were in plain sight, six of them well armed and watching everything. I kept to the left towards the canyon so that I could see the boys when they came up. The Indians finally went down into the south pocket of the west canyon and I circled around expect- ing them to come out at thn head of it, but after waiting a long time I made up my mind that they had slipped out toward the valley, so I started back on the north side of the pocket, keeping a sharp lookout. Finally I discov- ered just a little smoke in the canyon, and slipping along peeking over cau- tiously, I discovered them around a little fire eating a turkey they had stolen Original Log House Built by Mr. William Draver South of Burwell in the Early Seventies. the night before from Dolph Alderman. How I wished for the boys then! But there was a misunderstanding 1 . Instead of coming where I told them to they mounted their horses and went up tbe valley to head them off. "When I got home and found out why the boys had not shown up, I sad- dled my pony, went back and found that the Indians had gone and then pulled out for Pebble Oeek, to the north of the canyons, looking for their trail. Just as I neared the head of the creek I saw some of the trapper boys com- ing and two of them cameover to where I was. They had gone'four miles beyond, and seeing nothing had turned back. I told them the Indians were hidden somewhere in the canyons near Pebble Creek and they went to looking. During this time others had joined us, most of them on foot, however. Two of us remained north of the canyons to see whether they THE FURTHER HISTORY OF GARFIELD COUNTY 159 would appear again and, sure enough, in about thirty minutes the footmen routed them out of Pebble Creek, but no shots were flred. As soon as they came out we gave the alarm and went for them. Alter about a mile of hot chase the Indians threw away everything except guns and ammunition. When I came up I dismounted and picked up a cartridge belt of Indian manufacture with 16 44-calibre empty shells in it. The belt I wanted as a memento, and I have it .yet after nearly 30 years. After joining the ad- vance it became evident that we would have to thruw out flankers, as they would stop over every hill and let fly a couple of shots, but they could not hit a barn after running as they had. "In our party were four mounted trappers and three young men who were en route to the Black Hills— James Flint, Elmer Raymond, John Mc- Nutt. and myself (C. H. Jones). The trappers and strangers took the flanks and left us the center. There had been only Ave or six shots fired by our side when we lost the Indians in the sand hills just to the north and east of the head of Dry Creek. We knew they were somewhere, therefore we commenced looking in the blowouts and in so doing our party became scattered over a mile of territory. Some of the trapper boys were to the northwest, the rest east, and my party to the west and southwest of the blowout where the Indians were. Will Wirtz and two of the Black Hills men were about 300 yards to the north and a little west. Steve Chase and his partner were about 200 yards east and a little north. D.ive Shroyer and George Baker were southeast 100 yards. McNutt and I were south 175 yards, Jas. Flint was 200 yards southwest and Elmer Raymond had stopped on a knoll 200 yards west. Now I will go back and bring up rtie reserves. "When the trapper boys started to head them off above Pebble Creek and left me alone with the Indians. Newt. McClimans mounted a horse and made for the Fort, yelling 'Indians!' as he went. He dashed into the Fort and told Capt. Coppinger and immediately thereafter the bugle sounded 'boots and saddles."' In less than 15 minutes after McClimans got there Lieut. Hyle dashed out at the head of 15 mounted men and went flying up the valley. The Indians were about two miles from the Calamus valley. These troops rode up the Calamus above where we were, but scout 'Buck Shot' beinff with them and having a powerful glass was taking advantage of the high places to look over the country and discover us. "At about this time I had located the Indians in a blowout and yelled to Raymond. But he, having sighted the soldiers, paid no further atten- tion to me. Dave Shroyer heard me and asked me where the place was,— Dave was in the valley between the parallel ridges and about 150 yards from me. I pointed north and he turned and dashed up the hill to the very edge of the blowout, in fact the horse's head was over the edge. Just then a shot rang out and Dave's horse wheeled and plunged down the hill, blood spurting from his neck. Immediately after an Indian jumped out of the hole and shot again, then started down the hill after Dave. Then another Indian joined the chase. I jumped off my horse and told McNutt to hold him but he had skipped down the slope about 30 feet. I yelled at him to 160 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP stop, telling him that I would shoot him if he didn't, and then ran down the hill and gave him my horse and told him to stay there, and ran back just as the last Indian was getting out of the hole. I dropped down, rested my gun over the top of the hill, took sight and fired. The Indian threw up both hands and fell with a yell backward into the hole. The other Indians looked around in time to see him disappear and just then George Baker opened fire. The Indians immediately broke for the hole again and went in much quicker than they came out. I got another shot at them just as the last one went over the edge, but not being a good wing shot I missed him. I then fired a couple of shots into the hole. The Indians now made an attempt to escape by the north side but three shots from the Wirtz party put them back. Steve Chase was standing on the hill to the right and shortly after two shots in qui^k succession came from the Indians and Steve dropped out of siirht. I left Fling and Raymond and went around to see what had become of Steve. I found him lying on the slope out of range with his partner holding the horses. I asked him if he was shot and he said 'no, but I don't see how the d — 1 that Indian shot uii both sides of me at once.' He said the balls didn't miss him on either side over five inches. I told him two Indians fired at the same time. I gave my horse to the man holding Steve's and we crawled up to the top of the hill, one to watch while the other shot. A shot or two was fired. Then the Indians replied, the first shot striking just between us. We moved a little and then be- gan a fusillade. It wasn't long till the Indians ceased firing. Then we hol- lowed to Dave and George to come out. They wre behind a little knoll just large enough to cover them, but too low down to fire from at the blow- out. They came out and everything was quiet for awhile. Then the In- dians raised a rag on a gun and shook it. I afterwards thought they wanted to parley but at the time of it I didn't think a black flag denoted anything but blood, so I let drive a shot and the flag disappeared. (The fact of it was, they didn't have any white cloth, but I didn't think of it at that time.) Now, I never felt just right over this matter for I believe that the Indians either wanted to surrender unconditionally or else get us out from under cover and shoot one or more of us to even up the score. But we will never know just what their intention was. At all events that was the last shot for awhile. "Dave Shroyer suggested when he joined us that perhaos they wanted to surrender when they made the signal. But I told him that I thought they had adopted the wrong course in raising the black flag, so the only consolation I have is to blame the government for not furnishing their good Indians with white handkerchiefs to use when they got into a hole and chances were desperate. "When 'Buckshot' saw Raymond's signal he dashed down the hill, joined the soldiers and led thern on a gallop over the country to our posi- tion. As the soldiers came over a point about 250 yards from the blowout the Indians tired two shots at them. One of the shots cut the mane of a horse, next to Lieut. Hyle. After Hyle had asked a few questions he told THE FURTHER HISTORY OP GARFIELD COUNTY 161 us that this was no way to fight Indians. 'Why didn't you go up in a body and take them out?' he asked. You may believe I was somewhat taken aback as I thought we had done very well. Hyle then told us that his ex- perience of three years with the Apaches was to go right after them and keep them going" By this time I had gotten my wind. 'Lieutenant,' I said, 'they're in the blowout; go and get them.' After a little parleying seven of our party took a position on the top of a knoll to keep the Indians from firing on the soldiers as they advanced, and the soldiers with Lieut. Hyle on the right and Serat. Dougherty on the left, advanced up the hill. Sergt. Dougherty got to the top first and came in sight of the Indians. He stepped back, motioned to Hyle that they were there; then, with gun ready, stepped back' to the edge of the blowout when an Indian fired, shooting him through the heart. This threw the soldiers into a panic. They squatted down holding their guns over their heads and fired into the hole without effect- all exceot Lieut. Hyle. He deliberately stepped to the top, took aim and fired but missed, and the Indians fired three shots at him but missed him. After the soldiers fired thev all ran clown the hill and when Hyle stepped back to reload he found himself alone. He could not get any of his men to go up after Sergt. Dougherty's body. Bill Wiitz and one of the Black Hills men finally joined the lieutenant and recovered the body. The lieutenant stood and'looked at the body of the dead sergeant and then at his cowardly squad of men without saying a word. Finally one of the strangers spoke to him and he roused up, and sent one of the soldiers to the Fort after more men and the ambulance. It was then sundown. Pickets were put around the hole. James Flint and one or two others and I left for home. The reinforcements arrived about midnight and at daylight another advance was made, but the Indians were gone. "In about three weeks we got word from the Rosebud Agency that our party of six had come in almost naked and that one of them had a bad wound, being shot across the breast from right to left and that the bone on the right side was splintered. I knew then that he was my Indian and that if I had shot two inches farther to the left he would have been a good Indian." As an immediate result of this brush with the Indians, a number ot families fcelinsr themselves insecure in life and property abandoned their claims and left the frontier. Thus the settlers McNutts, Harpers, Ray- monds, and others set their faces southward, away from the settlement. Mr. Jones, nothing daunted, constructed an almost bulletproof fort at a short distance from his hous«, and placed Tom H^mmett in command. Under him was a garrison of two. The ruins of this fortification are yet traceable on a sharp ridge, at some H5 to 90 yards distance from the old Jones cabin. But the Indians had gone to rally around Sitting Bull and other chiefs in a vain hope to drive back the regulars which General Miles was begin- ning to hurl asrainst them. Aside from the Indian troubles just narrated, life in the upper settle- 162 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP ment was much akin to that of the lower settlements. The ''Gillespie Star Route" was at an early date extended as far as Willow Springs on the north side, and to The Forks on the south of the river. Truman Freeland carried the mail, in 1874, from St. Paul to the "Springs," via the Spring- dale-Oalamus route. That same year Henry Maxon opened the first post- office at The Forks, that being the northern limit of the route extending from St. Paul, through Cotesfield, North Loup, and Ord. Here too were the settlers jealous of the education of their children. In the summer of '75 a very neat, shingled loghouse was erected and Almira J. Freeland installed to teach the first school in the county. But, all considered, the settlers experienced some fearfully hard years; 4 1 5 8 ifr- ^4=5^ %4* 5 a 1ST + 5 TT \N D i!fc 3RD 7 -~tf 1 1 i ft 4-TH Tr ~ s s r^n COURT SQUARE ■ I 1 1 ! I 11 it # ST. ST. m . 1 1 «0 i 3 ST. 1 -1 rr— 4 M 5: m 4- \=4 4 ' s I sr.% CO Plat of tbe Defunct Cedar City, First County Seat of the Original Wheeler County. and'yet, as was said of the early New England Pilgrims, not a one of the real settlers lost heart and wished himself back to the flesh-pots of the East. Neither loss of crops by grasshoppers and hail, with consequent shortage in bread, nor winter storm and summer drought could dishearten them, and they lived to see their part of the valley bloom like a rose — great farms, well stocked with choice catfcle, and growing marvelous crops. Carefree, with larder well filled and good balances in the bank, they may now take the well-earned rest which is theirs. They opened the Trail of the Loup, and those who came after do them honor. For more than eight years after the first nucleus of pioneers has reached what we now know as Garfield county, that part of the state con- tinued as "Unorganized Territory." For judicial purposes and for pur- poses of taxation, all that portion lying immediately north and west of Val- ley county was attached to the latter county. But this condition of things was never satisfactory; accordingly a new county, Wheeler, was organized. THE FURTHER HISTORY OF GARFIELD COUNTY 163 This took place on the 11th day of April, 1881. The act provided for the organization of a territory forty-eight miles east and west, by twenty-four miles north and south, comprising the present counties of Wheeler and Garfield. J. P. Cummings was elected County Clerk and for some time he kept the county records at Cumminsville on Beaver Creek, which may therefore Old Precinct Map of Garfield County. be termed the first county seat. But this place was altogether too far east to suit the settlers living in the western part of the county. So it came about that a new county seat, Cedar City by name, was founded near the middle of the county, on Cedar Creek, or as it is now often designated— "River." This town proved, however, to be a "bird of passage'' only, for as soon as Wheeler county was again divided, in 1884. and Bartlett made 164 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP the permanent county seat, Cedar City passed away so rapidly thaf today its very foundations are no longer to be seen. Since the organization of Wheeler county there had been considerable dissension among the settlers relative to an eventual division of the count.y into regular congressional counties. In 1884 such a division actually took place and Garfield county was organized. Burwell was by gubernatorial proclamation made the temporary county seat, and an election was called to be held at the store of Mr. Graber, at Burwell, December 30, 1884. The ante-election campaign brought out three rivals for county seat honors — Willow Springs, Burwell and Midvale. A bitter struggle ensued, wherein county officials and settlers took sides and joined the faction which seemed at the time to suit their own ends best. All Garfield county was divided into rival camps. However, election day dawned and even before the formality of a regular count had been gone through with, it was seen that Willow Springs was the winner with votes to spare. But the law pro- vides that where more than two contesting points are voted on, a second election shall be called to choose between the two getting the highest vote in the first election. Midvale had received the smallest vote and was there- fore dropped. The second election was set for January 30, 1885. Another month of bitter campaigning and full of anxiety passed, and election day was again at hand. Both factions were out in force as the vote all along had promised to be a very close one. In this respect no one was disappointed, for out of a total vote of 277, Willow Springs received 142 and Burwell 135, a difference of only seven vutes. But this result was not satisfactory to the south siders, who asked and received from the State Supreme Court, a writ of mandamus, issued April 9, 1885, whereby a recount of votes was or- dered. This recount took place April 18, and resulted, — Willow Springs 105 and Burwell 128. Such a remark- able figure was the direct result of gross irregularities. It seems that before the canvassing board had time to count the returns, the en- tire "Dry Cedar" vote was done away with. The story goes that there are those still living in Gar- field county who could, if they were so inclined, tell the secrets of that remarkable coup d' etat. But how- soever this may be the machinations proved of no avail, as the Supreme Court set aside the alternative Writ after a careful hearing of both sides in Incident from the Garfield County Seat Fight: Sheriff Johns Serving the "Writ" on the County Clerk. (From the Willow Springs Illustrated Gazette.) THE FURTHER HISTORY OF GARFIELD COUNTY 165 the contest. The judges subsequently gave the certificate of election to Willow Springs, declaring that town the legally chosen county seat. Now ensued a spectacular fight for the possession of the county rec- ords. The County Clerk, Henry W. Mattley, and County Commissioner O. E. Randall, insisted that Burwell was and should remain the county seat. A majority of the board, James Butler and M. E. Guyer,on the other hand, were as insistent on making Willow Springs the county seat. The county records contain some very interesting reading in this connection. First the county clerk called a meeting of the commissioners as follows: Commissioners of Garfield county will please meet at my office on Saturday, May 16th, 1835, for the purpose of declaring Burwell the county seat of Garfield county, Nebraska. May 8th, 1885. Henr? W. Mattley, County Clerk Then it appears that two of the members ignored this call entirely as the minutes here appended show : Office of Clerk. Burwell, Nebraska, May 16, 1885. In accordance to above call Mr. O. E. Randall appeared at office aud as he was uuaccom- pauied by either of the other commissioners, no business was done. Attest: H. W. Mattley, C?.erk. But all this time the other two members of the board were planning to organize the county government at Willow Springs. To that end a meet- ing was called for June 2. On their minutes we read these terse, epi- gramatic statements: Willow Springs, June 2, '85. H. W. Mattley ordered to appear instanter— fails— Sheriff sent after Mm. W. E. Johns, Sheriff. James Butler i Comms present at John W. Abbott, Clerk Pro Tempore M. E. Guyer \ Meeting. It would appear from the above, and from statements of eye witnesses and participants that at first the clerk flatly refused to move his books from Burwell to Willow Springs, and that there was talk of holding the tem- porary court house oy force of arms if need be; but better judgment finally prevailed, so that when the sheriff a second time crossed the river for Mr. Mattley, he was found in waiting on the south side of the river, willing to be transported to the victorious "Springs." But the end was not yet. In 1887 the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad in Nebraska commenced building northward, up through the val- ley, on the south side of the river. From Ord it extended its grade to Bur- well, and on to Butka on the Calamus. This was a death blow to Willow Springs. Poor "Springs!" had she not been living in the almost certain hope of getting an extension of t tie Union Pacific which had these many years had its terminus at Ord? And, now, at one fell stroke she was ut- terly ruined ! As was expected, a new election was ordered, and this time resistance was simply hopeless. February 16, 1890, decided the county seat question forever. Burwell received 288 votes, while Willow Springs could muster only 148. Thus the change was made and Willow Springs passes out of history. The above is a terse outline of the bitter struggle which for years set neighbor against neighbor in Garfield county, almost threatening for a 16 6 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP The Loss of the Ballot Box: An Interesting Act in Garfield County History Retold in Pictures. (From the Willow Springs Illustrated Gazette,) THE FURTHER HISTORY OP GARFIELD COUNTY 167 brief time intestine war. But fortunately this is all over now, and though not entirely forgotten, has long been forgiven; so that those who partici- pated in the fight, are again on as good terms of comradeship as when they first, as brothers, tuiled over the Trail of the Loup. No one person, perhaps, was more vitally interested in the county seat struggle than H. C. Jones of Willow Springs He furnished much of the "sinews of war,'" and when all was lost and Burwell won, it meant financial ruin to him. It is but proper then that ne should be allowed to tell his storv of the matter, and in his own way. The narrative gives many side- lights and is, in the main, correct, though his memory may at times err in minor details. He says: "In 1884 the proposition for a division of the county was submitted to the people and carried. Frank Webster had laid out a townsite the year before and there were five or six buildings up at that time, and perhaps more— I have forgotten— and it had gotten the temporary county seat. Tom Hemmett and the Acrees had laid out a town a quarter of a mile west of my store and called it Willow Springs. Frank Webster's town was named Burwell. John Acree at that time was our main politician. He was a talker, a great schemer of very nervous disposition and never at his best unless well loaded with Hostetter's Hunki Dori Bitters of which I kept a good supply. "The same year, I think, the location for county seat of the new county of Garfield came up. The contest was very warm between Burwell and Willow Springs. In the contest Willow Springs won with the aid of our friends in the north and east part of the county. As soon as the result was known Tom Hemmet and the Acrees began to put up a building for county offices. At the end of the time allowed for canvassing the vote it was found that the ballots, poll book, etc,, of Dry Cedar precinct had been stolen and the Burwell people had the clerk (who was a Burwell man) de- clare in favor of Burwell, but soon after he wanted to take it back as his own brother was going to scalp him. About that time there was a strong talk of war — a war of extermination. Most of the citizens on both sides of the river denounced the act, and on account of ib the feeling was very strong in favor of Willow Springs. "In less than two hours after the clerk had announced the result, men were riding over the country on different missions; one to Cedar City after a certified copy of the poll book, another to the district judge for an injunc- tion, etc.. and a letter was written to the governor to "head off" the clerk's returns, and everything was done that could be thought of to get our rights by law. Wise council prevailed and there was no resort to arms, but the matter was kept in the court for some time, Willuw Springs winning. "The building was completed in the meantime and a store started in the lower room thereof. Other buildings went up and by the first of June 1887, Willow Springs had two general stores, one grocery, one news- paper, two drugstores, one bakery, one hardware, one bank, one black- smith shop and several dwellings. I then bought the Hemmett building, 168 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP had it remodelled and moved my store up there but found it too small. Just before I moved, the county records were brought over from Burwell by sheriff W. C. Johns, who had a little squabble with the Burwellites to obtain possession of them, and we had the county seat in fact. But the B. & M. Road built to Burwell and we had to fight for our existance. Some of the newcomers got skittish and made arrangements to move their buildings to Burwell and give up our town. As soon as a start was made away went everything but one other and myself. I had doubled the size of my buildings and had the largest stock of goods in the county and held a good share of the trade. But the fight for relocation of the county seat was kept up continually by Burwell. Whenever they got up a petition we got up a counter petition which carried more names than theirs, conse- quents the commissioners would not grant their petition. "About this time W. Z. Todd started the "Enterprise" at Willow Springs. Soon after Geo. Gill came out from Ohio and started a hardware and tinshop and Willow Springs was "looking up" again. Burwellites got out another petition; we got out a remonstrance and hired men to canvass the county with it. When the commissioners met there was considerable oratory and wire-pulling but the board decided not to call an election. The Burwellites applied for a mandamus. H. W. Todd was sent to Grand Island to look after the interests of Willow Springs and succeeded in knocking them out. I wish to go back a little and show what we had to do to keep up our end of the fight. {i At the time our town had reached its best we wanted a bridge across the Loup The county wasn't able to build it; a bond was out of the ques- tion, so we had to hustle. $780 were subscribed towards the building of a bridge. $100 of this amount was subscribed by Commissioner Jackson and others, of Burwell, wno when they discovered that the bridge would not be located just where they wanted it, promptly withdrew their subscriptions. "Then we got busy and laid out a road on the south side of the river and one on the north side, both terminating at the river, and demanded a bridge. It was then up to the board. We agreed with them to make up what the county lacked in funds to put in the bridge and it was built. 'All this cost me money. And to make matters worse a hailstorm de- stroyed the crops about this time and I was compelled to do a large credit business and had to borrow money to pay my bills. We had gotten tired of the continuous fight on the county seat. Burwell folks raised about $1,200 to use in the election in 1889 and came over to see some of our friends. They sent them to me. I told them if they would give me a lot in Burwell and mow my store onto it and would provide for W. Z. Todd and Geo. Gill, I'd quit. They agreed to it. Todd and Gill were moved over and my goods and building were also moved. Then the election returns showed Burwell to be victorious. "The result of the fight was disastrous to me. I was compelled to sell out at 75c on the dollar and eventually lost my home also. One part of the county never went back on me — Erina, and I never lost a cent by them, THE FURTHER HISTORY OP GARFIELD COUNTY 169 Bless the people of Erina. May they always prosper." Burwell is the only town of consequence in Garfield county. It may in a way be said to be the outgrowth of "The Porks" postoffice, located down near the old mill on the river road. The townsite lies at a bend in the river not far from the point where the Calamus blends its waters witli the eddy- ing - North Loup. -■ft NELSON i =& K CO X. 1 J -1 e ' t ■s y *■ * e w V 11 ft X , -fi.- i 1 H _L J. 1 .•» — J L= E Gp 'J /pi 1 z ■f 3 S i> 6 s C y_ £ » B LU FF CO en | Jti / U4 I u ! A ST r 1 4 6 ST. Plat of Burwell Showing "Public Octagon," which has been Disfigured by Euilding upon it, and the Streets meeting the Square at the Middle of the Sides. As to the origin of the name there are several stories told, more or less reliable. One has it that it was given to perpetuate the name of a certain young woman, the betrothed of one of the Webster family platting the town, but who died before the nuptials could be solemnized. The writer will not, however, vouch for the truth of this rather romantic christening. The town was platted by Prank Webster on his home farm and was for many years "Webster's town. " This gentleman's ideas of what an ideal townsite ought to be were certainly remarkable and may best be understood by a glance at the erection of the public square. This is very large, but instead of being approachable by streets intersecting at its far corners, they approach it as bisectors of the four sides. Even this would not have been so bad had the inside plat of ground been dedicated to the city as presumably first intended. When Mr. Webs- ter later sold his interests to the Burwell Townsite Company it appeared that the inside of the square had not been so dedicated. Accordingly he began selling this in parcels for building purposes. A protest and threat on the part of the townsite company led to a compromise and a division of lots on the "inside square." This unfortunately has for ajl t,ime spoiled t,he appearance of the public square ; 170 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP The first store building; at Burwell was that of Wm. N. Becker & Co. This was in 1883. Alfred A. Graber soon followed with a small hardware store. Almost at the same time Prank Webster commenced building. A very few residences were added and we have Burwell's embryo. In 1884 Garfield county was created and the governor of Nebraska made Burwell Home of D. S. Beynon at Burwell. the temporary county seat. Frank Webster's store became the depository for the official records and documents. Here the .temporary county gov- ernment met. Then came the county seat troubles and Webster's store was for a time the objective point in the operations, A. A. Graber et al's writ of mandamus was overturned by the very court which had granted it and Willow Springs was declared the county seat. This made the Burwellites pretty glum for a time. But the gloom was not to last long, for in 1887 the B. & M. commenced building up the Valley. The old rival was overthrown utterly and was only too glad "to move ovpt" and become a part of the new county seat. As if by magic Willow Springs residences and stores left their "anchorage" and in an in- credibly short time became a part of Burwell. Thus the town grew at a moderate pace and had a population of 150 wh^n the decade of general prosperity closing with 1890 terminated. During the next ten years its progress was not marked. In fact between 1890 and 189H it experienced a considerable set-back. The remaining four years of the decade were spent in getting the town back on a normal footing. In 1900, and more particularly since 1903, Burwell has made good strides onward. In the latter year the town had less than 500 inhabitants; now it is almost 700. Four years ago there was hardly a modern house on THE FURTHER HISTORY OF GARFIELD COUNTY 171 the townsite; now on the other hand, as so aptly illustrated in the cuts in this chapter, Burwell boasts a surprisingly large number of very fine houses. Beautiful Home of Robert Wicks, Burwel Excellent cement sidewalks are rapidly displacing the old wooden struc- tures. A new eight-room school building was completed in the fall of 1003 Comfortable Home of Mr. Cram. Burwell. at a cost of $10,000. The city owns its own waterworks system, and a pri- vate corporation furnishes an ample supply of acetelyne gas to light the 172 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP streets and homes of all who desire it. It is safe to prophecy that Bur-well will continue to prosper and to grow. By degrees the sand-hills to the north will be reclaimed to fruitfulness and the town's territory will as gradually become more and more populated. Garfield county is in main a grazing district, well adapted to raising cattle and sheep. The Loup Valley part of the county alone is tit for true agriculture. But the despised sand-hills will yet be the making of the county. Alfalfa grows well in the draws ana lowlands. Bromegrass and English bluegrass will soon spread their green, succulent mantle from hill to hill and make this one of the richest hay producing belts in the entire country. Such is pretty sure to be the future of Garfield county. STATISTICS. Population (1903) , 2,800 Area 576 sq. mi. Miles of railway 4.17 Best tillable lard $25.00 to $60.00 Pair tillable land $15.00 to $25.00 Hay and pasture land $4.00 to $6 00 DESCRIPTION BY TOWNSHIPS.* Range 13. T. 21. North half and southwest sixth mostly level, fertile: rest roll- ing, fair soil. T. 22. Cedar valley, quite sandy; rest sand hills and hay flats. T. 23. Southwest quarter Cedar valley, sandy, but tillable; rest sand hills with few hay valleys. T. 24. Northeast quarter rolling, mostly tillable; rest sand hills and hay flats. Range 14. T. 21. Rolling, fertile; mostly tillable. T. 22. Mostly sand hills; some fertile land in south third. T. 23. Sand hills and hay flats. T. 24. Cedar valley, fertile; about four sections on north, sand hills. Range 15. T. 21. Southwest half in North Loup valley, fertile; rest quite roll- ing, mostly fertile. T. 22. South half rolling, fertile; north half sand hils and hay valleys. T. 23. Sand hills and hay valleys; some shallow lakes. T. 24. Cedar valley, fertile; rest fair, rolling land, interspersed with sand hills. Range 16. T. 21. Nurth Luup valley, fertile; rest very rolling, fertile. T. 22. Southwest quarter mostly tillable; rest sand hills and hay val- leys. T. 23. Sand hills and hay valleys. T. 24. Sand hills and hay valleys. ? JProjn the bylletip of t,he bureau of Labor, lincolp, ]^ebr„ 1^)02, Loup County and Its Possibilities. CHAPTER XIV. Thy spreading fields are yielding recompense for honest toil, Nebraska, dear Nebraska. The smile of God is beaming ever on thy fertile soil. Nebraska, dear Nebraska. Once the dainty golden-rod peeped above the virgin sod. Where today we see the beet leaves green and curled. Grain and cattle from thy fields nature's richest bounty yields. And Nebraska, our Nebraska, feeds the world. Will M. Maupin. LOUP COUNTY was settled in 1874. The first settlers to trail the Loup beyond the Garfield county settlement and squat within the confines of Loup county were Rodney P. Alger, John R. Goff, D. L. Bowen, B. J. Harvey, A. M. Gurnsey and Win. Burns with their families. A few months later, when work on Fort HartsufT was begun, a number of addition al families became temporary dwellers within the limits of the territory. In the spring of 1875 an Indian scare seized the outlying farmsteads; the growing crops were abandoned and the whole community assembled in the little, well known park on R. P. Alger's farm, and there erected tem- porary abodes. For greater security a stockade was erected and dubbed "Fort Rodney," in honor of Rodney P. Alger. The Indians, however, did not appear and shortly all the staunch-hearted among the settlers returned to their abandoned homes; a few timid ones only left the country for good. Fort Harts tiff was soon afterwards completed and the colony freed from any further Indian experiences. In the summer of 1876 and the following spring the colony was further increased by the a? rival of the Rushos, T. W. Williams, D. A. Gard and G. C. Snyder, all with their families. These arrivals settled near where Kent and Taylor are now located. During the winter of 1876-'77 A. M. Gurnsey succeeded in getting a special postoffice established. Mr. Gurnsey was appointed postmaster and the office named Kent. For a time the mail was carried by volunteers who took turn about making the trip down to The Forks and back. Grand Island, one hundred miles to the south, was in those days the nearest railroad connection. Thither did the settlers have to go for most of their necessaries of life. During the first few years of scant crops it was a common thing for the settlers to cart ox-loads of cedar posts alt the way 174 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP to York and Butler counties— a round trip of fully 300 miles— to exchange the same for flour, groceries and other necessaries of life. Ten days to three weeks were counted necessary to make the trip; and during all this time the hardy freighter was subject to the discomforts and hardships oc- Old Precinct Map of Loup County. casioned by the uncertainty of weather conditions- swollen and unfordable streams, sudden storms, and the like. "During the summer of 77," says David Gard, '-we were all so busy breaking prairie and putting j n crops, that no one had time to make a trip to the nearest grist mill, which was then fifty miles down the valley. For a while we accordingly ground our corn and wheat on hand coffee-mills." The first school district was organized in 1876 under the jurisdiction of Valley county, where Rev. Oscar Babcock was at that time county superin- tendent. The district, which was designated as No. 9, was very large, con- LOUP COUNTY AND ITS POSSIBILITIES 175 taining more than thirty square miles. A sod house with dirt roof and stamped clay floor was erected on section 36, T. 21, R. 18. Rose Harvey was the first teacher employed to teach here, and her first term was only three months long. The first general store in the county was opened by A. Kitzmiller at Kent in 1880. He was obliged to haul all of his merchandise from St. Paul, which point the Union Pacific Railroad had now reached. Time passed and other families were added to the list already men- tioned. There were A S. Moon, David McCord. Thomas Croughwell, William A. Clark, Jacob and Wesley Strohl, William Forbes, Henry Copp, John Burlingham, William Thomas, B. S. Sawyer, George Spangler, John Abbott, George Craven, Charles Copper, John Wheeler, George Abbott, Calvin L. Copp, Stephen Roblyer, Wesley Rains, H. Dunbar, Mrs. Phoebe Glover, and many others. Loup county was at this time a part of the unorganized territory. As the population continued to increase it became expedient to organize the county. This was accomplished in the spring of 1883. The temporary county seat was placed at Kent with David Gard as temporary clerk. The first election was held May 3d of that year and resulted as follows: Clerk, F. H. Sawyer; Treasurer, Joseph Rusho; Judge, B. J. Harvey; Sheriff, Arthur C Alger; Surveyor, A. J. Roblyer; Superintendent, A. S. Moon; Commissioners, G. W. Strohl, N. E. Fay and H. L. Reniff. Next came the inevitable strife for the location of the permanent county seat. Kent lay too far east to be considered in the race. But Taylor, Al- meria, and Clark's Point were all eager to land the plum. None of these places had been platted, but that mattered but little in those days Locate the county seat and the town would spring up! Taylor lay very close to the center of population and was a logical claimant. Almt-ria became a dangerous rival because Kent might be expected to throw her support to a town as far away as possible from her own zone of influence. For Taylor once the county seat would mean death to ambitious little Kent. So it came about that the election was very close. Indeed Taylor won out by just two votes majority over Almeria. Taylor was staked off on a farm belonging to and adjoining the home- stead of Joseph Rusho. The original site contained 32 blocks, of which No. 13 was set aside as a public square. The first store opened was that of Otto Witte, who carried a stock of groceries and drugs. This was very early in 1884. In a short time two ad- ditional stores opened. George Cleveland put in groceries and hardware and E. H. Snow, dry goods, boots and shoes. But these ventures were not to be permanent accessions to the town; they soon tired and left for more promising fields. The first permanent business house to become estab- lished at Taylor was that of Wheeler & Scott, which is still doing business under the name uf George F. Scutt. Half a decade later Taylor boasted five general stores, two banks, two hotels, two livery stables, two newspa- pers and many other business places. Many of those were built on the ex- 176 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP oectancy of getting an extension of the B. & M. which had reached Bur- well in 1887. But. alas! Ta.ylor was doomed to bitter disappointment and is to this day an inland town. The dry years were hard on Loup county and her towns. Almeria, where G. W. Strohl and Fred Hoellworth had opened a general store, man- aged to hold her own and live through the crisis. Kent by degrees dwin- dled down till in 1905 there is nothing left but the postoffice, and this LOUP COUNTY AND ITS POSSIBILITIES 177 too will no doubt soon be discontinued. Taylor saw her banks close their doors for lack of business, and some of her business houses removed, stock, buildings and all. But here, as elsewhere, the tide turned in time, and today the town is slowly rallying from the staggering blow. A new bank has just opened its doors to business and the stores are all doing a thriving business. Geo. F. Scott and Rusho Bros, are carrying large stocks of general merchandise, George P. Emig has a first-class drugstore, Joseph Rusho a complete line of hardware. J. G. Wirsig is proprietor of the Loup County News and a thriving implement business. Joseph Kriegel has built up an excellent business in harness, saddles and trunks. The Taylor Clarion, the oldest newspaper in the [county, is edited by E. An- drews. Everything considered, Taylor business men have cause to feel encouraged. The territory from which they draw their trade is rapidly de- veloping, and with the increase in population which is sure to come the town is bound to grow. Taylor has from the beginning been handi- capped because it is an inland town. Several times it has looked as though the B. & M. would extend to it, but it has always ended in disappointment. First, when the Burlington built to Burwell in 1887, Taylor expected to get the line. Then when the same system extended up through Custer county the town became hopeful again. But this extension crossed the southwest corner of the county, passing south of Taj lor and missing Almeria just four miles. Even now the situation is not hopeless. Two years ago a sur- vey was made from Burwell up through the valley and Taylor may yet get a connecting line between the Garfield and Custer county branches. Loup county is in many respects a remarkable county. It is chiefly a grazing district, well adapted for the raising of cattle, horses and sheep. But at least forty per cent is made up of good tillable lands. The value of the county live stock is esti- mated at $500,000. This will increase rapidly hereafter. Alfalfa, bromegrass, and Eng- lish bluegrass are even now on the point of revolutionizing the cattle industry. When such remarkable grasses shall have had time to clothe the" sand-hills with their mantle of green, these decried sections will become a source of untold Hog Ranch in Loup County - wealth to the county; indeed they will be the making of a great and pros- perous county. It is surprising how well fruit trees grow in the county. Some of the apple orchards in the valley and on the higher benches to the south can scarcely be excelled by any in the state. It is an eye-opener to the Easterner to see such orchards as are grown by L. F. Ruppel and others in this county. Since the passage of the Kinkaid homestead law, every section of land in the county has been snapped up and land is steadily in- %.**.- 178 THE TRAIL OE THE LOUP creasing in value, To have land holdings in Loup county is now to be fortunate. STATISTICS. Population (1903) 1,700 Area 576 sq. mi. Best tillable land $25.00 to $55.00 Fair tillable land $10.00 to $20.00 Rich hay land $20.00 to $25.00 Pasture land $3.00 to $6.00 DESCRIPTION BY TOWNSHIPS.* Range 17. T. 21. North Loup valley; rest rolling; all fertile. T. 22. Calamus valley, fertile in part; rest rough grazing land. T. 23. Rough, sandy grazing land. T. 24. Rough, sandy grazing land. Range 18. T. 21. North Loup valley, three miles wide, fertile; rest rolling, fer- tile. T. 22. Rough; few farms in south, rest grazing land. T. 23. Rough, sandy grazing land. T. 24. Rough, sandy grazing land. Range 19. T. 21. North Loup valley, three miles wide; rest roiling; good soil. T. 22. North Loup valley, over two miles wide, fertile; rest rough. T. 23. Rough, sandy grazing land. T. 24. Rough, sandy grazing land. Range 20. T. 21. Rough, sandy soil, used for farming and grazing land. T. 22. Rough, sandy soil, used for farming and grazing land; Loup valley. T. 23. Loup valley in southwest, tillable; rest rough grazing land. T. 24. Rough, sandy grazing land. *Fiom the Bulletin of the Bureau of Labor, Liucoln, Nebr., 1902 Scotia and Her Builders. CHAPTER XV. Behind the scared squaw's birch canoe The steamer smokes and raves; And city lots are staked for sale Above all Indian graves. — Whittier, The Genius of the West. WE HAVE already learned in Chapter VI. how the committee of the Seventh Day Baptists reached the chalk hills in Greeley county, opposite Scotia, on the last day of October, 1871, and laid claim to the southern bank of the North Loup river for their constituents back in Wis- consin. But they were not the first comers in the Valley after all. For the northern bank of the stream was even then in process of settlement. In September, before autumn was fairly ushered in, the first band came. By handfuls they advanced up the north bank of the Loup through Greeley county by the old trail. The beautiful bend in the river where Scotia now lies, and immediately across from 'Happy Jack's Look out," charmed them and held them fast. Here and up and down the valleys of Fish Creek and Wallace Creek they reared their homes and started life anew after their weary westward tramp. The very first to file on a claim in all Greeley county was Alcie P. Fish of Fish Creek, whose papers were executed in October, 1871. About the same time the grand old patriarch, William Scott, settled north of Scotia. Alza M. Stewart took a claim across the line in Valley county. John G. Kellogg, the well known Greeley county bard, and Alonzo Shepard settled in the same neighborhood. Other early comers in the North Loup valley in this vicinity were James Harlow, Daniel Benson, George Babcock, W. Whitford, G. Craig, Patrick Coyne, J. J. Bean, David Moore, Horace Moore, Geo. R. Small, Fred Housmann, Henry Grosse, Ben Mullenbeck, James L. Wallace, George Ferrell, W. Cramer, Wm. Havens, Thos. Townley, Fred Stensby, Frank Roberts, Thos. Watson, John Vairy, the Skay and Gray families, John Dougherty, Andrew J. Gillespie, Jr., Simon Bilyeu, Jesse Bilyeu, George Hillman, Alfred Hillman, John A. Buchan, John V. Alderman. Leslie E. Scott, Loring E. Gaffy and Elihu Fish. Up Wallace Creek came Joe Littlefield, D. C. Johnson, Henry Calvin, 180 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP Elias Walker, Albert Barker, Elias Jeffries, Turn Miller, Joe Brown, Geo. Rutherford, Geo. Stubblefield, Joseph Hamilton, Maurice Johnson and Richard Johnson. On Fish Creek settled Fred Meyers, David Locker, John Phillips, W. Hayden, B. F. Griffith and William Halpin. Of the old-timers here named only a very few arrived in '71. The great ma- jority did not come till tne succeeding spring and summer and even years later. The list contains but three or four who professed allegiance to the Seventh- Day Baptist Church. The Wisconsin colony, as a whole, settled on the south side of the river in Town 17, and more Alcie Fish, First Settler in Greeley County particularly in Town 18 in Valley COUnty. For some five or six years settlement of Greeley county was restricted to the southwestern part. The rolling uplands, and Clear Creek and Cedar River valleys were not invaded till the spring of 1877. Meanwhile this lit- tle handful took measures to organize their county and elect county officials. Application was made to Acting Governor Wm. H. James, who issued a proclamation ordering an election to be held on the 8th day of October, 1872. The election was held atLamartine postoffice south of Scotia, where Elihu Fish was at that time postmaster. Thirteen votes were cast and the following officers elected : Commissioners, A. P. Fish, T. C. Davis and Alonzo Shepard; Clerk, E. B. Fish; Treasurer, S. C. Scott; Sheriff, G. W. Babcock; Judge, George Hillman; Surveyor, Mansell Davis: Superin- tendent, John G. Kellogg; and Coroner, C. H. Wellman. The next question of importance to come up for settlement was the in- evitable county seat location. This first contest was, however, but a friendly rivalry. The county commissioners held a meeting at Lamartine postoffice on January 20, 1873, transacting all business incident to the late organization of the county, and calling an election for the purpose of select- ing a county seat. Said election was ordered to be held February 11, 1873. Two points were voted for, namely : The N. W. i of the N. W. i of Section 23, Town 17, Range 12, and the N. E. i of Section 9, in the same town and range. The former location— Lamartine— won out by one vote and became the temporary county seat. In November, 1874, another election was held. The aim apparently was to draw the county seat northward. The two points in contest this time were scarcely two miles apart— the N. W. % of the N. E. i of Section 9, Town 17, Range 17 West, and the N. E. ± of the N. E. i of Section 16 of the same town and range. The records show that in the election the former place received sixteen votes and the latter ten votes. Thus it came SCOTIA AND HEK BUILDERS 181 about that Scotia — so named from his old homeland by Sam (J. Scott — was made the county seat. For a long time there was really no town. In the fall of 1875 a small court house was built. This humble structure was also used for school purposes. Thus we are told that Mrs. E. Craig used to hold school here in the same room where the county clerk would be busy over his records. Judge John J. Bean located at Scotia in May of 1876 and commenced the ,ss j;e Old Precinct Map of Greeley County. Showing Scotia and Vicinity. construction of a hotel. The same vear Sam Scott moved the postoffice to town from his farm and relinquished it to Mr. Bean, who was regularly ap- pointed postmaster in January, 1877. In October of that year E. O. Bart- lett and A. B. Lewis, two enterprising young business men from St. Paul, Howard county, established the Greeley Tribune, which did much to adver- tise the county and town. The first general merchandise store was opened by W. H. West of Grand Island, under the management of Ed Wrigtit, in 182 THE TRAIL OP THE LOUP March, 1878. The railways were beginning to exploit their lands in the North Platte country rather freely by this time. To further this end the B. & M. in Nebraska built a small im- migrant house at Scotia. This home was in charge of the kind and public- spirited David Moore, one of the men who never lost faith in the possibili- ties of the beautiful Loup. So far the village was a straggling, haphazard affair. But tbis same year, 1878, Lee L. Doane platted the site and a systematic though slow growth commenced. In 1881 the population was yet under one hundred. The business houses were few though these few had a good trade. Plat of Scotia. Just now too a cloud was rising on the horizon of Scotia's prosperity. Men of foresight had seen it coming for some time. It was again the same old question of county seat location. For some years the county had been rapidly filling up with settlers. Could Scotia then hope indefinitely to retain the county seat? Many realized that it would oniy be a question of time when some more centrally located town would rise as an aspirant for the honors. And the first mutterings of trouble came in December, 1881, when O'Connor commenced a contest. But let us go back for a glimpse of the settlement of Greeley county at large. The first settler near the center of the county, so far as we know, was James L. Reed, who came in 1876. The next soring an Irishman by the name of Patrick Hynes arrived and became local agent for the Irish Cath- olic colonization association just then in its conception. General O'Neill seems to have been the originator of the plan which was no more nor less than to buy up vast tracts of land in Greeley and neighboring counties, which were to be colonized with his countrymen, both from the States and from old Ireland. 25,000 acres were purchased near the center of the county, and it was not long till some twenty Irish families were located on the land through the energetic Patrick Hynes. Other colonies sprang up in Cedar Valley and further north as far as Erina in Garfield county. The movement was organized for more than patriotic motives. Wherever Irish- men settle in numbers they will cluster around their church and parochial schools. The present case was no exception to this rule. Men high in ecclesiastical circles were from the first interested in the scheme. This was particularly true of the Right Rev. James O'Connor, Catholic Bishop at that time of Nebraska, Wyoming and Montana. This great churchman was born in Ireland, September 10, 1823, and came to America in 1838. He was educated at Philadelphia and at the Col- lege of Propaganda, Rome. There he was ordained March 25, 1848, by the great Cardinal Franconi and soon after he returned to America, entering the SCOTIA AND HER BUILDERS 183 <_/6t. diocese of Pittsburg, where he had charge of St. Michael's Theological Seminary for some years. He was also administrator of the diocese for a year. Then he was given charge of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary at Philadelphia for ten years. Later he was consecrated Bishop of Debona, and Vicar Apostolic of Nebraska, August 26, 1876. The same year he took up his residence at Omaha, where he established Creighton Uni- versity, the Academy of the Sisters of Mercy, the Boarding Schools of the Ladies of the Sa- cred Heart and a number of parochial schools. General O'Neill and John McCreary platted a town near the heart of the Irish land grant in November, 1877, and called it O'Connor in honor of the bishop. For some reason this site was never used and a new town of the same name was later — August, 1880 — built only three and a half miles away on a site selected by the bishop himself. The town grew rapidly. Patrick Hynes opened the first store in October, and two months later Lanagan Brothers opened the second store. An imposing church edifice and paro- chial school buildings soon followed. R. H. Clayton established the O'Con- nor Democrat early in 1882, and a systematic agitation for the rights of that part of the county took its beginning. The census of 1880 gave Greeley county a population of 1461, many of whom had to travel 25 miles or more to reach the county seat. Dissatisfac- tion with existing conditions grew with an increase in upper county popu- lation. Finally the county board felt constrained to call a new election. This was held December 6, 1881, and resulted, O'Connor 196, Scotia 171, and the county poor farm, 33. Fortunately for Scotia a two-thirds majority was re- quired for removal and the county'seat was for the time being saved. In 1883, the Union Pacific built its spur into town and confidence was again restored, for was not Scotia the only railroad town in the county? Matters now moved along at an even tenor till 1887. The town grew slowly but surely. Then, like a thunderclap from a clear sky, came the news that the B. & M. had commenced to build across the county, apparently through O'Connor. This was bad news indeed for Scotia. David Moore of Scotia. Everyone realized what it meant. But while Scotia was sorely disappointed she could hardly have expected any- 184 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP thing else; another town, which for the moment was jubilant in visions of coming prosperity was, however, destined to an even sadder fate — this was O'Connor. Located in its beautiful, winding valley this town was on the logical line of the new road. The railroad authorities must also have been of this opinion for grading camps were established near the town and work actually commenced. The inhabitants were unfortunately too confident in their new position. They argued that the road could impossibly go else- where and were altogether too slow to meet the railroad's demand for right-of-way, station site and the like. The upshot of it all was that the grading camps were all abandoned and moved into the hills to the south. A committee with full power to grant every request made by the railroad was now sent hot haste to Lincoln. But to remonstrate and beseech was now in vain. O'Connor awoke too late. The B. & M. built a new town at a few miles distance, and called it Greeley Center. This town the Burling- ton system, with its old-time shrewdness for organization, decided upon as the political center of the new county and straightway formulated its plans. Scotia made one more desperate effort to hold her own. This came in the form of a gift to the county of a new court house built by Scotia Precinct at a cost of $5,000.00. This was in 1887. The very next year the bitter struggle recommenced. The O'Connor constituency, still smarting from unhealed wounds, joined hands with Scotia and had the satisfaction to see Greeley's aspirations for the time defeated. But in the fall of 1890 the end came. Greeley Center won in the election and became the county seat. Considerable ill feeling and even personal ani- mosity was engendered during these years. But these differences are how happily being forgotten. Neither faction could really be blamed. It is natural, ,1 am sorry to say, in times like the above, for personal desires and gains to get away with one's better heart-promptings. But, as said, Greeley county is again getting united, and the less these old rifts be stirred the better for all concerned. Scotia stood face to face with hard times. She had lost her chief point of prestige. The new court house stood empty and many prominent fami- lies left for Greeley Center. Her population decreased seriously. But she had staunch hearts in her midst. These stood by the old town during the hard years and never lost courage. The court house was turned into a Normal and Business College and did well till some untoward circum- stances forced ib too to close down. Then came abundant crops and Scotia rallied, New and modern homes are going up throughout the town ; her Four Generations of the Hillman Family. Mrs. Blueht. Mrs. Chase. Mr. Geo. Hillman. Mrs. Hillman. Baby Chase. SCOTIA AND HER BUILDERS 185 population is increasing again. With the remarkably fertile farm districts round about her Scotia is bound to become a wealthy residence town with time. Her future is assured and the first comers will not have come in vain. Harrowing Tales of a Third of a Century. CHAPTER XVI. Then rose a souud of dread, such as startles the sleeping encampments Far in the western prairies or forests that skirt the Nebraska, When the wild horses affrighted sweep by with the speed of the whirlwind, Or the loud bellowing herds of buffaloes rush to the river. — Longfellow's Evangeline. I"N THE course of the years which have melted away since the Valley «*■ was first settled many things have transpired of a nature so distressing that even now, under the mellowing influence of time, it is hard to read them without shuddering. But in the reading our hearts involuntarily go out to the heroes and heroines who endured so much and endured so silent- ly. The more we learn of their suffering, the more we honor tbem for their sacrifice, and the more we rejoice with them in their final triumph. Several of these tales have already been narrated in previous chapters, and will not bear repetition here. Such were the Great Blizzard of April 13, 1873, and the Lucust Plague following soon afterward. A few others may be added here. The first worthy of notice is the Great Fire of Octo- ber 12, 1878. To a person who has not actually lived on the frontier and with his own eyes beheld a great prairie fire in progress, it is almost hopeless to at- tempt to convey a true pictuie of its terrors. The awe inspired as the storm wind suddenly hurls great clouds of stifling smoke, mixed with cin- ders and burned grass, over the devoted settlement is beyond the descrip- tion of pen. Then there is the sudden roar and distant glare; the crack- ling and crashing as the fire demon rushes onward; the rush of over-heat- ed air ; the distant glare and the final leap of countless tongues of flame from the seething, roaring hell-caldron coming on apace. Now, woe to the settler who has neglected all precautions for fighting fire, or whose guards are not broad and clear! Woe to him who has not prepared for the evil hour, for soon destruction will be upon him — the solid, destroying phalanx, burning several hundred feet deep, before whose scorching blast no living thing can stand! And now listen to what befell our North Loup settlements on the 12th day of October, 1878: It was glorious autumn weather. Up and down the valley the farmers were at work threshing, and otherwise disposing of the bountiful crops of the year. The prairie HARROWING TALES OF A THIRD OF A CENTURY 187 grass was deep and matted, the growth of two seasons. It was dry as tin- *der arid needed but a spark to start a conflagration. The tanners had on this account taken great care to throw up ample fire guards around their possessions. But what protection are guards when the very air seems to be on fire! For several days fires had been burning on the Middle Loup to the west. At night the lurid glare was distinctly reflected on the peaceful sky. On the eventful day as time advanced a breeze set in from the soutli- west. By degrees it increased in power till it blew a veritable gale. The wind swerved gradually to the west and by evening blew from the north; this fortunate circumstance alone saved the Garfield county settlements Advent of the Prairie Fire. (From a Kodak Picture Taken by Ina Draver.) from destruction. Mira Valley lay immediately in the path of th^ fire-fiend and was the first to suffer. Here, in one p ace, three voung men, Albert Cottrell, and William and Morris Greene, were at work building a sod- house. Before they had time to realize their danger the conflagration was bearing down upon them. There was no time to backfire. Their only hope was refuge in flight. But, alas! what is human speed when measured with the fire fiend let loose' They were all quickly overtaken; and with a cry of despair threw themselves face downward, as the tongues of flame leaped and swerved round about their victims. From this bed Albert Cottrell was never to rise — he was burned to a crisp. The Green boys were more fortunate and lived through the terrible experience, though fearfully burned, And to the end of their lives will they bear the scars of the fire 188 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP upon their bodies. Onward, across Mira Valley the lire swept, licking up hay stacks, leaping protecting guards, burning 1 dwelling houses and out- buildings. In many instances the unfortunate inmates had barely time to reach some plot of plowed ground before the fire was upon them. Mrs. John Luke, then a mere girl, saw the fire and in time sought a place of refuge. In several directions could she see burning property. On the farmstead where she chanced to be all the out-buildings were de- stroyed; the very pigs in their pens were roasted alive. At last the fire burst through the hills and rolled down into the river valley. At Dan Merritt's place it swept right through the stubble field and devoured a new threshing outfit, which the many farmers present were unable to save. George W. Larkin, living near the present day Olean, had just complet- ed a comfortable log house. 250 bushels of wheat, all his previous yield, had just been stored away. Everything was consumed — house, barn, im- plements, grain and fodder. Mr. Larkin barely saved himself by falling prostrate onto the plowed ground. Heman A. Babcock lost practically everything he had, buildings, fodder and stock. As the deluge swept by Oscar Babcock's place his son E. J. Babcock had just time to leap into the protecting waters of Mira Creek. Judson Davis lost all his grain. At Jessie Worth's place practically everything of value was destroyed. And so the story might be lengthened almost ad injinitem. North of Ord conditions were scarcely any better. On Nels Ander- sen's farm another threshing outfit was burned; by desperate work only did Mr. Andersen save his home place, though much grain was lost. George Miller who was at Andersen's place when the fire became threatening under- took the foolhardy feat of outstripping it to his own cabin, a mile distant. This came near costing Uncle George dear. Had it not been for a conven- ient buffalo-wallow full of water, he would not now be living to tell the story. Such tales as these could be told of the Valley from Cotesfield to Turtle Creek. No farmstead in its path escaped the awful fire. That night beheld the valley scorched and suffering. Smouldering heaps of ruins marked here and there all that was left of the personal belongings of many a sturdy pioneer. Homes were gone; much cattle ;]the very grain for bread — and yet these men did not despair. On the morrow they were again at work to keep open the Trail — the Trail! The next in chronological order, of these stories is not so far-reaching in effect as some others here retold. But it is nevertheless of such a nature as to deserve relating. This is the August Hailstorm of 1885. Meteorological observations as well as practical experience teach us that some localities in the west are more liable to be frequented by hail- storms than others. The fertile districts in Nebraska immediately south of the great sand hill belt are thus exposed. Any barren, sandy expanse, heats and deflects a layer of air more rapidly than does a grassy and well protected loess plain. The result of this phenomenon may be observed on almost any hot summer day. Layer upon layer of overheated, moist air, over the sand hills, will in the .afternoon heat, suddenly begin to expand ARROWING TALES OF A THIRD OF A CENTURY 189 and rise, forcing lower currents to rush in to fill the vacuum formed. The rising, heated current condenses and becomes visible to the eye the moment upper, cooler currents are encountered. These we know as cumulus or thunderhead clouds. If the evaporation does not chance to be very extreme, an afternoon thunderstorm and rainfall may result; but. in case the day has been intensely hot, the evaporation may become violent, and the upward rush of air so rapid as to create great disturbance in the upper cloud re- gions. A churning together of the hot and cold currents causes a rapid con- densation of the moisture of the former into raindrops. These in turn freeze and are hurled around by a strange rotary motion now ensuing, growing ever larger as they receive coat upon coat of freezing muisture. In our valley we may expect to find the surface currents blowing from the south on such a day as here in question. At the same time the upper currents, by degrees, begin a southward movement to fill the vacuum there formed. For a moment before the storm breaks all wind ceases. This is when the so called balance point in the opposing current is reached. As the upper current overbalances the lower the storm breaks. Now its ad- vance is usually marked by a long roll of horizontally revolving cloud- mass, from which showers of hailstones are precipitated to the ground as soon as these have grown large enough to overcome the centripetal force of the cloud itself. It stands to reason that, in time, as the sand hills become more stable and receive a heavier matting of vegetation, these destructive storms will become less and less frequent. August 5, 1885, was a hot and sultry day in the Valley. In the fore- noon, and again in the afternoon the barometer acted in a most erratic way. About 3 o'clock in the afternoon great cloud masses began towering up on the northern horizon. That this betokened an unusual storm soon became apparent to all. A strange activity was shown by the way the cloud masses parted, moving in opposite directions— west and south— only later to retrace the first course, to come together a few miles above Ord. Here the horizontal roller cloud was formed, and came rushing down the valley. As it rolled on, dark and lowering, it seemed but a few hundred feet from the ground. With a roar the wind came out of the cloud, blowing at a ter- rific rate. Hailstones of enormous size were carried almost horizontally through space, so strong was the wind. For twenty long minutes all created things trembled under the fury of the storm. Outdoors all was de- struction: indoors the roar of the storm was deafening. The howling of wind, the crashing: of breaking window panes, the ripping of timbers torn made a veritable bedlam. When all was over ruin almost beyond descrip- tion opened to one's gaze. Not alone had the growing crops been hammered into the ground, but even the trees were stripped of leaves and branches, yes, the very bark was hammered into a pulp. To this day— after 20 years— may scars be seen uoon the trees sufficiently strong to live through the storm. The story of 190 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP the catastrophe is well told in the Orel Quiz of August 9, 1885, and runs as follows: "Wednesday afternoon a threatening storm gathered in the north. It seemed to be drifting rapidly to the west, but about 5 o'clock it was met by another storm from the west. They met in the valley ten or twelve miles from Ord, and came tearing down upon us at a terrific rate. The storm burst upon the town at 5:40 and lasted 20 minutes. The wind amounted to a hurricane, the rain fell in torrents and hail of the regulation hen's egg variety fell. The ground was covered with hail. Every exposed window — which means all north and east windows — regardless of awnings, shutters and screens, were beaten out; tin roofs were perforated and torn loose; nearly all north and east shingle roofs are ruined; trees are stripped of their leaves and battered and beaten beyond recovery, and there is nothing left of other vegetation. So much for the town. '•The extent of the destruction, however, does not seem to be general. At this writing it seems tnat very serious damage was done from only five or six miles above Ord, to three miles below. Toward Mira Valley damage extended no farther than Mr. Shinn's place, and in Springdale the limit of the damage seems to be at Mr. Coffin's place. "The damage in the business portion of the town was sustained chiefly on the south and west sides of the square. A fair estimate of the damage on these sides is about as follows: Cleveland Bros. , store $350.00 F. A. Witte 250.00 Wolf & Ehlebe . . , 200.00 Miss Day, millinery 100.00 P. W. Weaver 200.00 Quiz Office 50.00 Perry & Stover 300.00 Dr. Bickford, residence and store. . 500.00 A. S. Martin 250.00 C. C. Wolf 50.00 D. C. Way 150.00 G W. Milford 250.00 Woodbury & Mortensen block 400.00 Mortensen & Babcoek 50.00 The First National Bank 100.00 Coffin & Clements' office 50.00 B. C. White, store and residence 400.00 W. J. Lloyd, stock 40.00 J. S. Bussell, bank building 100.00 W. T. Barstow, building 75.00 H. A. Walker 75.00 A. M. Robbins 75.00 Linton Bros., livery 200.00 Hotel America 500.00 HARROWING TALES OF A THIRD OF A CENTURY 191 "The chief losses on the north and east side of the square are : D. C. Bell, yard and dwelling $200.00 Frank Misko, shop 100.00 D. J. Martz "' 5 - 00 , Odd Fellows' Building 100.00 Sorensen ..& Williams 350.00 "The balance of the buildings on those sides of the square are dam- aged mostly to the extent of the roofs. The loss on the other 300 buildings in town will average $50 each. "It is a hard blow to Ord, but the extent of the storm being so limited it will not interfere with the trade to any considerable extent, the chief damage being the actual damage to property here. Had the crops of the whole county been ruined the loss in a business way would have been irre- parable, but as trade will undoubtedly continue brisk, business men are in- clined to look upon their losses optimistically. "Our special reporter at Calamus reports that place in a worse condi- tion than Ord. The new frame school house is a total wreck, including the foundation. Mr. McCaslin's house was torn to pieces and his wife and children were nearly killed. The windmill and smaller buildings at the fort were leveled. Will Duby's large new house was lifted, turned half way around and set down again. J. V. Alderman's splendid grove and nursery is nearly ruined. A mile north of Calamus no damage was done. "Elton Cheesebrough lost one hundred young pigs. "Bailey Bros.' cattle were stampeded and men were hunting them u;j yesterday. Two head of cattle were found dead in the yards. "Charley Parks h*d 50 acre a of fine oats uncut which were leveled to the ground. "Lightning struck the rods and chimney of the public school building, but the damage was confined to these objects "Mr. R. Collmgwood, of Sargent Bluff, Iowa, an old man. was crossing the small bridge southeast of town just as the storm struck him. He had a neavy load of lumber. The team became unmanageable and refused to face the storm. They turned with the storm and ran over the abrupt bank by Haskell's old brick yard, falling fully twenty-five feet. Mr. Colling- wood's arm was crushed and the team badly injured. His family is in Iowa. "The storm seemed to gather somewhere near W. B Keown's place. The hail there was not heavy but the wind was furious. It totally wrecked his tine new barn and badly dam- aged his residence. "Fred Dowhower says his crops are unhurt. "Damage on Haskell Creek w,as light and Elm < 'reek escaped entirely. "Dave Quackenbush's buildings were blown down and one horse killed. ".Tens Jensen lost a horse in the storm. He does not know what killed it. "J. A. Ollis' building was blown down. In this part of Mira Valley damage by hail was done, though it was not so serious as around Ord. "Comparatively little damage was done by hail on Haskell Creek at Lounsbary's and none beyond there. Plain Valley, Rose Valley and Bean Creek all escaped." Barely a month had passed since the hailstorm struck Valley county, when another storm of a tornadolike nature struck the already badly shat- tered Ord and vicinity. Such an impression did the great hailstorm and this new windstorm of the evening of September 11 leave upon the minds of our people that for years to come they could not behold the uprolling of a 192 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP stormcloud without a feeling of uneasiness creeping over them. This storm is described in the Quiz in the following language: "Last week, Friday evening, the elements were in an exceedingly un- settled condition, but aside from the quickly changing sky and the swift coming and going of flurries of clouds nothing noteworthy was visible. At dusk a long narrow cloud extending from the western to the northern hori- zon appeared in the northwest, but no one gave more than passing notice to it, and each one in our busy little city went to his home thinking, if he thought of the storm at all. that it was over. But at 10:20, suddenly, with- out a moment's warning, a cyclone burst upon us from the southwest. Its fearful fury was spsnt in an instant, but that instant meant sad destruction to property. The destructive whirlwind dashed through our town and was followed instantly bv a heavy gale from the northwest. As soon as the frightened people recovered from the shock, and safety permitted it they ventured out with lanterns to learn the extent of the damage and render assistance if needed. The Baptist church was leveled to the ground in ir- reparable ruin. The skating rink was swept away with the exception of the foundation. The roof was hurled against Wentworth's carpenter shop knocking the northwest corner clear away and wrecking the building badly. Very serious damage was done to the court house walls. With the excep- tion of the corners, they were leveled as far down as the basement. The little building near O. S. Haskell's brick yard was blown into the nver bodily. It was occupied at the time by three of Mr. Haskell's hands, all of whom escaped from the building during its passage to the river without in- jury excepting Frank Rogers, who was struck by a board, dislocating and slightly fracturing his elbow. "Finding that no good could be accomplished by traversing the town our people at last went to rest anxious to see what new ruins the light of day might disclose. Of course much damage was done to buggies, sheds, etc., all frail buildings suffering a greater or less degree of injury. "It was hoped that the damage was mostly confined to the town, but the next day and for a few days following reports of damage have kept coming in from all points in the track of the storm. The storm seems to have commenced its destruction in the neighborhood of Judge Laverty's farm in Geranium Tuwnship, whose house and contents were totally de- stroyed. His sick son was fortunately kept from getting wet, though Mrs. Laverty received a severe blow from some heavy piece of furniture. "It would be almost impossible to enumerate the men who lost by the storm, for the track was wide. The damage to hay and grain stacks is very general in all parts of the county, from Mira Valley north. The last seri- uus damage done by the storm reported at this writing was at the house of Messrs. Charley Parks and R. Burdick. northeast of town. Their sheds and out-buildings were destroyed though fortunately none of the inmates were injured. "But bad as this and the recent hailstorm were, many places in states A Partial View of Ord as it Appeared in 1905. Looking Northwest, North and East. SI|fcScdA*;[ The above panorama of Ord, the most important town on the North Loup river, was taken in August, 1905. Not without justice is the county seat of Valley county spoken of as a City of Homes. Beautiful, modern dwelling houses, well kopt lawns and gardens, shaded streets, broad ce- ment and brick walks all go to make this an ideal home town. Ord is a moral town. The licentious element so common in many large places has never found a harbor here. It is essentially a town of churches— all the leading Protestant denominations being represented. Its schools too rank among tiie best in the state. Its intellectual atmosphere is of the very best. In industrial lines, too, Ord is on the alert. Her ^business men are pro- gressive; her business houses are rapidly becoming modern ; gas and elec- tric lights are used and one of the best water plants in the state, sup- ply her with cool spring water. Two railroads connect Ord with the world and excellent facilities for quick communication with the largest stock and produce markets are thus afforded. By way of contrast it is interesting to study "Ord in 1887" appearing elsewhere in this book, with the above cut. The former picture is that of a prairie town, uncouth and unpretending, not a tree in sight, not a tele- phone or telegraph post- just an average, western town, with all the thumb- marks of hard times upon it -and now, a city of homes and trees, where beautiful elms, maples and box-elders threaten soon to hide the houses entirely from view. Then Ord numbered a thousand souls, now it num- bers more than two thousand strong, with bright prospects for a continued growth. HARROWING TALES OF A THIRD OF A CENTURY 193 east of us have suffered far worse than we have in this most exceptional year of storms." Several years may now be passed over and we come to 1888 and the Historic Blizzard of January 12. No other winter storm in the history of our plains, it is safe to say, was ever more destructive than this. For that matter the storm was general throughout the whole country, and its chill- ing blast was felt from the Rockies to New England. Yet the windswept plains of Dakota and Nebraska fared worse than sections farther east. Loss to human life and property was on the plains, in places, simply appalling. Entire families were lost; in some instances the bodies were not recovered till the snows began melting in spring. On this occasion the Loup Valley was almost miraculously saved from the loss of life. To be sure many nar- row escapes from death by freezing are chronicled; and in numerous in- stances only the most heroic efforts saved those imperilled from death. The morning of the 12th dawned damp and gloomy. A mist had been falling during the night; and the wind, which blew gently from the south, was just cold enough to turn the moisture covering all nature, into a light hoarfrost. Before noon the frost had disappeared and every indication pointed to an early clearing of the sky. But this was not to be. At just 11:35 o'clock in the forenoon a terrific storm- blast struck Burwell, and 25 minutes later reached Ord. In a moment the heavy leaden clouds were blotted out. A bewildering, blinding sheet of dustlike snow was whirled horizontally through the air; the thermometer began sinking at a rapid rate and before 4 o'clock reached 25 degrees below zero. The wayfarer, caught far from home, soon found his pathway obstructed by drifts of snow and every familiar guidemark obliterated. His bearings once gone would mean certain death unless he should chance in his blind gropings to stum- ble upon some human habitation or friendly stack of hay or straw in his path. As the early part of the day was so mild many people had ventured far from home. Scores of farmers were caught in town, where they had to re- main for several days, chafing under the restraint, but absolutely snow- bound. Others, less fortunate, who were caught on the road, in the valley or out in the hills, soon found themselves in a terrible predicament. Some were wise enough to unhook their teams and seek the nearest refuge; others, with their bearings lost, allowed their horses to lead them to some haven of safety. The writer knows of at least seventeen farmers in Valley county alone who shivered that terrible day and succeeding night to an end in straw stacks. Here is a solitary instance of this nature taken from the press of that month : "Mr. Banlemiah, a German, and his son, a lad of 14 or 15 years, got lost in the storm. After driving along till the cold began overcoming them, they abandoned the team and, digging a hole in the snowdrift, sought shelter there. But fearing they might freeze to death they again got up and staggered along till they chanced upon a strawstack, which saved their lives. When rescued they were both pretty badly frozen about the head, 194 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP feet and hands. It is feared that Mr. Banlemiah will be obliged to have his hands and feet amputated." Stories without number could be told of narrow escapes throughout our Loup region. Here are a couple : "On the day of the blizzard Ebert Gaghagen of Vinton started after a load of hay, and when about a mile from home the wind upset the load. Ebert wandered around, lost, and did not reach a place of shelter till 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Then he was so exhausted that he had to be assisted into the house." "Professor Tipser of Haskell Creek was caught four miles from the nearest house. His horse refused to face the storm. He then got out and led the horse till almost exhausted. He next attempted to build a fire by burning his sleigh, but even this failed. In despair he dragged his frozen limbs along till he finally found shelter at the home of a Mr. Moses." Some of the rural school teachers had harrowing experiences that day, and it seems almost Providential to us now that they should be able to have gotten their flocks of little ones home without a single casualty. Especially is this true, when we know that Custer county, our sister county on the west, chronicles fifteen victims, young and old. Mrs. Powell, who taught the so-called Hardscrabble school in Valley county, heroically determined to outweather the storm right in the school- house. The coal could be" made to last for some hours and, dieided into small rations, there would be lunch enough in the dinner pails till aid should come. But in the course of the day Mr. W. Thompson and others living near at hand came as a rescuing party and carried all to places of safety. While many other instances of snowbound people could be told we will not now weary the reader with them. However it seems that the story of the January blizzard is never considered complete without the story of Minnie Freeman, the Midvale heroine. We therefore reiterate it here, and add our personal views on the matter. The Ord Quiz of January 20 con- tains the following: "The manner in which this modest and unaspiring school teacher saved the lives of all her pupils during the great storm of Jan. 12, 1888, has won for her wide renown. The forenoon of that day was mild and damp, with a warm breeze from the south. But just at noon, without a minute's warn- ing, a hurricane blast came from the north. In an instant the temperature fell several degrees below zero, and the flying snow made it impossible to see but a few feet away. The first blast broke in the door of Miss Free- man's school house. With the aid of her larger pupils she closed and nailed it. A moment later the door gave way again and was irreparable; and to add to the dilemma, a portion of the roof was torn away also. Some- thing must be done at once. There was no alternative. Her sixteen pupils must be taken to the nearest house, a half-mile against the storm. At the peril of her own life, and with calm presence of mind and forethought she hastily but carefully covered the faces of her younger pupils and to prevent them from being lost — for in the terrible storm to wander away HARROWING TALES OP A THIRD OF A CENTURY 195 a few feet was to be certainly lost — she tied them together. The older pupils she placed in the lead, and to see that none faltered, she brought up the rear. Thus was the heroic march begun and successfully accom- plished." The Headlight, in a late issue, tells us that "her school consisted of nine small children, and when the blizzard struck the school house and tore off a large portion of the roof, she gathered her children together and, ty- ing them with a cord, one end of which she took in her hand, she started for the sod house above, about half a mile distant, where she arrived safely, after suffering from fatigue and cold, for which heroic act her name has been immortalized in story and song. Miss Freeman is now the wife of Mr. Penny, a prosperous merchant of Lexington, Neb." Again, in the Lincoln Daily Star of June 17, 1905, we read that "as Iowa had her Kate Shelley so Nebraska has her Minnie Freeman." Now all this lauding to the sky would perhaps not. be so much out of place did we not, in so doing, forget the other heroes and heroines of that never-to- be-forgotten day. It never has seemed quite just to us that this one young woman, noble and unassuming though she were, alone should receive the ever ready acclamation of a hero-worshipping world, and alone be "immor- talized in story and song," when a score of others were just as deserving as she. In another sense it is hardly doing Miss Freeman justice. She was "modest and unassuming." She asked for no newspaper notoriety, for none of the presents or praise, such as overwhelmed her, coming from every part of the country. And then again, persons who are well acquaint- ed with the actual facts in the case are naturally enough inclined to blame Miss Freeman as wishing to take for herself all the credit of the act, to the exclusion of everyone else. The newspaper articles quoted above variously put the number of pu- pils rescued at nine and sixteen. A magnificent gold watch received by Miss Freeman from an admirer in California bears this inscription: "A. Andrews of San Francisco to Minnie Freeman, of Mira Valley School Dis- trict, Valley County, Nebraska, for her heroism in saving the lives of thirteen pupils during the storm of January 12, 1888." The back of the case is set with thirteen rubies to represent the thirteen lives she saved. Thus we have the numbers nine, thirteen and sixteen. And so it is with the other particulars of the story too — they have grown and been distorted from the first. After sifting all the facts to the bottom, we are ready to offer this version of the story. When the first blast struck the rickety sod school house the door was burst inward, and the unanchored board roof partially lifted. Miss Freeman, then, with the aid of her older pupils, grittily enough, braced the door, and nailed it shut. But this gave but a moment's respite. Again the door was torn open, and this time the storm carried a section of the roof entirely away. To remain was to perish, for the room was rapidly drifting full of snow. The children were accordingly bundled up as well as the wraps at hand permitted, and in a body they were started for the George Kellison home, one-half mile distant. The children. 196 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP so say eyewitnesses, were not tied together to keep them from straying away. The Headlight, quoted above, would even have it appear that Miss Freeman led her whole school by this cord to Mr. Kellison's home — and safety. To Miss Freeman's praise it must be said that she was everywhere present — at the front, at the rear, and on the flanks of her little band. But she was not alone about this. The older boys and girls aided her in every way. Why not give them who so unflinchingly led through the drifts, aiding and encouraging the younger children all they could, and without whose assistance the youngsters could hardly have reached safety, some of the credit? Why not give honor to all to whom honor is due? The latest and in point of destructiveness the most disastrous of all the storms that have visited the Loup Valley is the Burwell Tornado of Sep- tember 15, 1905. This came as suddenly as it came unexpected. Never be- fore in history has a real twister of any great dimensions passed over our region. The so-called "cyclone" which struck Ord in September, 1885, could in no wise be compared to this either in velocity or in thorough- going destructiveness. The season 1905 was unusually satisfactory to our farmers. An abund- ance of rain interspersed with spells of hot weather resulted in bumper crops in valley and highland. The latter part of the summer only was somewhat unusual in its meteorological manifestations. The latter part of August and the first part of September marked a dry spell which, while it matured the corn rapidly and thus brought it be.yond the danger of frost, yet drew the moisture out of the ground at such a rapid rate that fall plow- ing fast became an impossibility. Then the change came. September 2nd saw a great area of low pressure slowly settle over Nebraska and other western states, which marked the beginning of a series of rain and wind- storms seldom equalled in western history. Friday, September 15th, marked the climax of the great atmospheric disturbances. All throughout Nebraska and- up and down the Missouri Valley, in Iowa, Missouri and Kansas, the winds blew with varying fury and deluges of rain and hail caused untold damage. That evening Burwell was visited by her de- structive tornado. The first intimation given the dwellers in the lower valley of any such catastrophe was some more or less incoherent messages by wire; then came the following postal card extra printed immediately after the storm by the Burwell Tribune: THE TRIBUNE POST CARD EXTRA. :, Burwell, Neb., Friday Evening, 8:30. A cyclone struck the north part of Burwell at 6 o'clock this evening, demolishing sixteen buildings, Mrs. A. E. McKinney, wife of E. B. Mc- Kinney, being instantly killed, and Mrs. Geo. Dinnell, Mrs. Leeper, Clifford Dinnell and Frank Hennich being hurt, the latter seriously. M. Saba's general store is a wreck and the dwellings of these entirely demolished : Costello, Hanna, J. Dinnell, McKinney, Scribner, Leeper, the Star, R. L. HARROWING TALES OF A THIRD OF A CENTURY 197 Miller, Mrs. Dinnell, Mrs. Aikens. Many others more or less damaged. Storm formed in The Forks west of town, was narrow, and extended only a mile and a half southeast of town." The full extent of the ruin wrought could nut be learned till Saturday morning. It then became apparent that good fortune alone had spared the town from a much more disastrous visitation. Had the wind column veered but a few rods to the southward it would have plowed its way through the heart of the hapless town and quite a different tale might now have been told. As it was, it certainly was bad enough, and years must pass before the storm trail can be entirely effaced. The Burwell Tribune in a supple- ment to the issue of Thursday, September 21st, tells the story of the dis- aster in the following language: "Friday, September 15, 1905, will be remembered for years by the present inhabitants of Burwell as the day of the great tornado. "Weather conditions that day were very peculiar. The day dawned clear and bright, but within an hour or two a dense fog enveloped the earth. This lifted and the sun shone brightly for a short period of time. Then fog again descended and obscured the landscape. The afternoon was hot and close; clouds black and threatening festooned the horizon to the north. "About six o'clock the death-dealing funnel-shaped cloud appeared to the northwest of town and in a few moments death and destruction were dealt out. "But few of the people of the town saw the awful creature of the ele- ments. Those who did took hasty refuge in storm cellars. Others did not know that anything more serious than a rain storm was brewing till the alarm was sounded. "The tornado seemed to form in The Forks — the confluence of the Cal- amus and the Loup — just northwest of town a couple of miles. Its first work was on the farm of M. J. Scott, close to where the funnel formed, where several grain stacks were promiscuously scattered over the country. A cornfield near Scott's was demolished. Then the residence of Mr. Cos- tello was razed. The family had gone to the cellar and thus escaped in- jury- "C. W. Hennich's stable and outbuildings were next destroyed. Frank Hennich was in the stable when the storm struck it and attempted to get into the house when a flying timber struck him down, crushing his ribs and injuring him internally. He grittily crawled to a clump of bushes and waited for the passage of the storm. His mother and sister were frantically trying to get to his aid and were tossed about by the wind but happily es- caped injury. "The storm passed east from this point, demolishing stables, cribs and outbuildings at Kirby McGrew's, destroying part of the Bartholomew house, occupied by Leslie Baker, then swinging a little south, it overturned John Dinnell's dwelling and razed Mike Saba's store. "R. W. Hanna's home, north of Saba's store about two blocks, a fine twp-story dwelling, was totally destroyed — smashed, I guess would express 198 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP it about as well as any detailed description. Mr. Hanna, his wife, their son, and Mrs. Hanna's mother were in the house at the time and how they escaped unharmed is nothing less than a miracle. The building' was picked up bodily, carried a few feet and literally crushed into kindling wood. The four people were right in the midst of the wreckage and yet escaped with- out a scratch. "The Haas house north of Hanna's, occupied by Ed. McGuire, escaped destruction, but the barn, outbuildings, trees, etc., were swept away. Mar- tin McGuire lost a horse, wagon, harness, etc. "J. H. Schuyler's fine home, a little south and east of Hanna's, was perforated by flying timbers, racked and wrecked. Clothing which hung in a closet in the house was whisked out of the window and disappeared. The house is almost a total wreck. His stable was entirely blown away. "Wm. Kester's house, just east of Schuyler's, was partially unroofed. His stables and cribs were carried away. The debris from these buildings was carried eastward. "The home of E. B. McKinney, east and a little north of Kester's, was the scene of the greatest calamity. Both Mr. and Mrs. McKinney were in the house when tbe storm struck it. The house was reduced to kindling wood. Mrs. McKinney was killed almost instantly. Mr. McKinney was carried up into the air but escaped with slight injuries. "Mrs. Geo. DinneU's home, south of McKinney 's, was swept out of ex- istence. Mrs. Dinnell and son Clifford were carried away and up into the whirling mass of cloud and debris and thrown to the earth close together. Mrs. Dinnell sustained bruises and cuts about the head and body and is hurt internally. Clifford had his arm badly lacerated and broken. "Geo. Bell's livery barn was unroofed and wagons and buggies were carried away and broken and twisted into all conceivable shapes. One new wagon belonging to Prank Schuyler was found away down the road east, with the wheels gone and the spindles twisted off. The roof of Bell's residence, just across the street from the barn, had a large chunk taken out of the center, the damage looking as though it had resulted from something having been blown through it. "Mrs. Gring's residence, just east of Bell's, was badly damaged by wreckage blowing through it. "McGrew's old store building, occupied by J. H. Schuyler as a pump house, was demolished. The Star store, used in part as a store-house and part as a dwelling-house by Wm. Jeffries, was razed. The family narrowly escaped death. "North of McKinney's the wreckage of houses lies westward. Here Mrs. Scribner's home was made into matchwood; the house occupied by Mr. Wheeler and family shared the same fate. Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler and three children were in the house at the time but escaped without serious injury. "Fred Woodworth's house (the Hoyt property), a concrete house, was HARROWING TALES OF A THIRD OF A CENTURY 199 unroofed and wrecked, the windmill, outbuildings trees, fences, etc., being entirely destroyed. "H. C. Woodworth's barn was destroyed and his team taken on an aerial trip. The horses were found near W. L. McMullen's home, nearly a half mile southeast, unscratched. "Mrs. Aken : s dwelling was blown to smithereens, as was also that of Mrs. Leeper, wherein Mrs. Leeper was badly hurt. "I. W. McGrew's fine home is almost a wreck although not torn up badly. Timbers were driven through it and it was carried off the founda- tion and generally wrecked. McGrew's barn was totally destroyed, bug- gies, harnesses, outbuildings, etc., went with the general wreck to the southeast. "D. E. Sawdey's place, next east of McGrew's, was a scene of desola- tion. All his outbuildings, windmill, dray wagon, harnesses, etc., were totally wiped out. His barn was destroyed, the horses blown over the house into the field southward and there escaped unhurt. The dwelling house was picked up, sent a short distance into the air and jammed onto the ground just off the foundation. It is almost a total wreck. "R. L. Miller, who lives just east of Sawdey's, says the storm passed him on its first trip through, but after cleaning up R. B. Miller's place (the Carson farm adjoining town on the east), it swung back and completely wrecked his home — the two-story part of his dwelling being lifted up and deposited wrong side up in the yard. The family had seen the storm com- ing and had taken refuge in the cave. Every bit of furniture in the house was broken to bits except a large mirror. "R. B. Miller's place was hard hit and Mrs. Miller and the children had a very narrow escape. Indeed it seems incredible that they could have escaped injury in the mix-up that occurred in the house. Barns, cribs, granaries, fences — everything on the place except the dwelling house itself was entirely swept away — some of the wreckage being carried south, part north. The dwelling was taken up, spun around and jammed into the earth and foundation. Furniture, plaster, debris from the storm, the lady and children, were mixed up indiscriminately but yet the folks escaped unhurt. One horse and several head of hogs were killed on this place. The storm passed southeast, sweeping away grain stacks, wrecking cornfields — in places shucking the corn and digging potatoes, crossing the Loup between H. T. Johns' and Ed Brown's places and entering the hills where it wiped out Wayne Waldron's farm house, barns, etc., and carried off his team. No further trace of the tornado can be found. "Will Post's new barn in the Harrison addition was snatched out from among the dwellings roundabout and literally carried away. The only other damage done was the upsetting of Mr. Bilderback's house which was under course of construction." "A relief committee, composed of L. B. Fenner, John Brockus, Guy Laverty, A. Mitchell and Fred J. Grunkemeyer, was appointed by a mass meeting of the citizens of Burwell Saturday afternoon to solicit funds and 200 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP look after the unfortunate victims of the tornado. The meeting was called bA W. C. Johns, chairman of the village board. Contributions are coming in nicely but a great deal more cash can be used and contributions of cloth- ing, etc., would not come amiss. "The cornice of the Burwell State Bank building was wrecked. "Windmills, cribs, etc., at Cram's stockyards were demolished. "The front of Janes & Sons' store was blown in, as was part of the front of Johns & Mitchell's. "One of the city's windmills went tiirough the window of Baker's bar- ber shop. "Nearly everybody in town lost a chimney or two. "The front of Murphy's saloon went out. "Arlo McGrew hung to a fencepost between the barn and the house until the storm had spent its fury. The ground around him was covered with timbers, but he escaped injury. "Charley Rupel lost a valuable cow in the mix-up. "One would bet money to marbles that a rabbit couldn't have escaped from where the Hanna family did without injury. "Mr. Costello's house was insured for $600. "The only cyclone insurance carried by any of the losers was $300 by Mrs. Scribner, $1,400 by J. H. Schuyler and $750 by Mr. Carson. "Mike Saba, John Dinnell and J. H Schuyler, and Rev. E. Maleng, who were in Saba's store when it went up, had miraculous escapes. Mike found himself hung to a telephone pole near the Star store, Jerry flew out and grabbed a pole, John went out and up, landed and was knocked down by timbers several times. The preacher remained in the building until help arrived. All escaped without serious injuries. "A potted plant stood between McKinney's house and the gate, a dis tance of not over five feet from the house. It was uninjured. "Mrs. Ed McGuire's canary bird was hanging in a cage on the porch and was carried away. The cage was found Saturday about half a mile away but no canary. Sunday morning the canary returned to the house and is now installed in a new cage. "A part of a wooden hoop from a barrel was driven through a tree in I. W. McGrew's yard. "Half of M. McGuire's potato patch was dug by the tornado. "It is a difficult matter to estimate the property loss. Many of the minor losses are not recorded. Following is a partial list. The loss will total more than $50,000: Costello $1000 Hennich 500 Hanna 8000 Schuyler, J. H 2500 McKinney 2000 Saba 5000 Murphy , 100 HARROWING TALES OF A THIRD OF A CENTURY 201 Dinnell, Mrs. Geo. $ 500 Dinnell, John 500 McGrew, 1. W 2000 Scri bner 600 Leeper 500 Wuodwortb, Fred 800 Miller, R. L 2000 Miller, R. B 500 Sawdey 500 Carson 1000 Schuyler, John ; 500 Akens 500 Coon 400 Brownell 150 Bell, G. W 1000 McGrew, Kirby 250 McGuire, M 350 Williams, R. T 125 Star Store 350 Hathaway 100 Ziegler, Orville 100 Post 250 Cram, W. 1 200 Telephone Co 500 Raster, Wm 200 Wcodworth, H. C .' 200 Beatrice Creamery Co. , notes, cream cans, etc 50< »0 Garrison, Fred 300 Otte, Will 200 Barr, Jas 100 Thurman, Tan 100 Miscellaneous 1001 H i Beauchamp, Ross, corn -200 Changes Down Through the Years. CHAPTER XVII. What constitutes a state? Not high raised battlement, or labored mound.. Thick wall or moated gate; Not cities fair, with spires and turrets crown'd; No: — Men, high-minded men, With powers as far above dull brutes endued In forest, brake or den, As beasts excel cold rocks and brambles rude: — Alcaeus, The State. THE FIRST regular election held in Valley county after its organiza- tion, took place in October, 1873, and resulted as follows: L. C. Jacobs, John Case and R. W. Bancroft, Commissioners; W. D. Long, Clerk; E. D. McKenney, Treasurer; Oscar Babcock, Judge; H. A. Bab- cock, Sheriff; Thomas McDowell, Surveyor; and Charles Badger, Superin- tendent of Schools. At an election held October 13, 1874, R. W. Bancroft was re-elected Commissioner and Peter Mortensen and Mingerson Coombs were elected respectively Treasurer and Surveyor, to fill out the ticket. At the regular election held on October 12, 1875, Mingerson Coombs, A. S. Adams and C. H. Woods were elected Commissioners; Thomas Tracy, Judge; M. B. Goodenow, Sheriff: H. A. Babcock, Clerk, Peter Mortensen, Treasurer; Oscar Babcock, Superintendent of Schools; Charles Webster, Surveyor; and Charles Badger, Coroner. On Nov. 7, 1876, Oscar Babcock was elected County Commissioner. Herman Westover was appointed County Superintendent to fill Mr. Bab- cock's unexpired term. At the next annual election, held on Nov. 12, 1877, H. A. Babcock was elected Clerk; Byron K. Johnson, Commissioner; Peter Mortensen, Treas- urer; Herman Westover, Judge; H. W. Nelson, Surveyor; M. Coombs, Superintendent of Schools; and E. D. McKenney, Coroner. The election of November, 1878, resulted in the election of Oscar Bab- cock to the State Legislature from the Forty-fifth Representative District. W. B. Keown and A. V. Bradt were elected Commissioners. At the general election on November 4, 1879, B. H. Johnson was elect- ed Commissioner; H. A. Babcock, Clerk; Peter Mortensen, Treasurer; Herbert Thurston, Sheriff; S. L. R. Maine, Judge; H. W. Nelson, Survey- or; and M. Coombs, Superintendent. In November, 1880, H. C. Perry was elected County Commissioner. The regular election on Nov. 8, 1881, resulted in the election of Arthur C. Lapham, Commissioner; H. A. Babcock, Clerk; Peter Mortensen, CHANGES DOWN THROUGH THE YEARS 203 Treasurer; John Mosher, Judge; Herbert Thurston, Sheriff; John F. Kates, Superintendent; C. J. Nelson, Surveyor; and E. D. McKenney, Coroner. In the November election of 1882, H. A. Chase defeated his opponent for Commissioner by a vote of 422 to 33. Now, as the county increased more rapidly in population, much of the old, neighborly feeling was beginning to wear away, and party lines to be more closely drawn In the regular election of 1883 a bitter contest ensued between Arthur H. Schaefer, the Republican nominee and Ed. Satterlee, Democrat, for the Clerkship. Mr. Schaefer was elected. A. D. Robinson was chosen to succeed Mr. Mortensen who had refused further re-nomina- tion to the office of Treasurer. All the other officials were re-elected. The election of Nov. 3, 1885, resulted in a complete Republican victory. J. J. Hamlin was elected Commissioner; A. D Robinson, Treasurer; A. H. Schaefer, Clerk; A. A. Laverty, Judge; W. B. Johnson, Sheriff; John F. Kates, Superintendent; D. C. Way, Surveyor; F. D. Bickford, Coroner. In November 1886. J. A. Ollis, Jr. was elected County Commissioner, and E. J. Clements, County Attorney. The election held November 8, 1887, was closely contested as a new element — the Prohibitionist — showed remarkable strength. The Republi- can nominees were, however, elected with the one exception of Superin- tendent. For this place the Democratic candidate, Stephen A. Parks de- feated Mrs. Emma Gillespie by some 50 votes. The other republicau can- didates elected were, Jacob Lemaster, commissioner; Abe Trout, Treas- urer; Jas. A. Patton, Clerk; A. A. Laverty, Judge; R. C. Nichols, Sheriff; C. J. Nelson, Surveyor; and Ed. McKenney, Coroner. In the election held November 6, 1888, the main issue before the people was the question of township organization versus the Commissioner sys tern. The township supervisor idea seemed to meet with general ap- proval, and carried at the polls by a vote of 826 for to 381 against. At this election B. H. Johnson was chosen Commissioner, the last under the old organization. A spiritless campaign, characterized by Republican disaffection and general dissatisfaction, marked the fall of 1889. When November 5 came the best the Republicans could do was to elect treasurer, clerk and coroner; the other offices all went to the Democrats. Those elected were Abe Trout, Treasurer; J. A. Patton, Clerk; J. R. Fairbanks, Judge; W. H. Beagle, Sheriff; S. A. Parks, Superintendent; Bennett Seymour, Surveyor, and F. D. Bickford. Coroner. By 1890 the Farmers' Alliance was entering politics and the Populist party was in the making. A great shifting in party affiliation was taking place. And this to such an extent that the Republican party was soon to lose control of both county and state. November 4, 1890, saw the election of Charles Munn, a former Republican, to the county attorneyship; this marked the beginning of Valley county's change in political affiliation. The next year, Nov. 3, 1891, every office with the sole exception of county clerk was won by the "Independent Party." George Hall was the 204 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP only Republican elected, and he went in with the small majority of 59 votes. The Independents elected were : I. S. Fretz, Treasurer; F. C Cummins, Judge: A. V. Mensing, Sheriff; J. H. Jennings, Superintendent; Wm. Hill, Surveyor; J. M. Klinker, Coroner. In 1892 and again in 1894 Charles Munn was re-elected county attorney. The election held November 7, 1893, did in nowise change the political com- plexion of the county officials. The only changes were the substitution of Vincent Kokes, Republican, for George Hall, Republican, and Dougal Mc- Call, Independent, for J. H. Jennings, Independent. The year 1895 was marked by a rather vindictive campaign. The chief light was on the clerkship, now. the Republican citadal. Vincent Kokes and his opponent, Jorgen Miller, were both strong, clean men. The Re- publican forces were, however, marshalled in such a manner that Mr. Kokes retained his office by a large majority. The Republicans now re- gained control of the county board, the vote standing: Republican, 4; In- dependent, 3. The Republicans also regained the offices of sheriff and surveyor. Those elected were: Vincent Kokes, Clerk; H. A. Goodrich, Treasurer; R. L. Staple, Judge; Adam Smith, Sheriff; D. McCall, Super- intendent; C. J. Nelson, Surveyor; E. J. Bond, Coroner. In 1896, while the nation went for McKinley, Nebraska and Valley county voted for Bryan. J. H. Cronk, an Independent, was elected to the state legislature and A. Norman, a Democrat, was elected county attorney. The next year, 1897, was in many respects an off year. The results of the November election were rather mixed. Vincent Kokes was re-elected clerk; W. B. Keown, Republican, defeated H. A. Goodrich, the incumbent, by only twu votes; R. L. Staple was re-elected, as was also Adam Smith; Lorenzo Blessing, Republican, defeated D. McCall, likewise S. G. Gardner, Independent, defeated C. J. Nelson. Drs. F. D. Haldeman and E. J. Bond each polled 719 votes for coroner. Dr. Bond later drew the lucky straw and was declared elected. As it was thought that Valley county had now a population which under the law would allow the maintenance of a separate office for Clerk of District Court, candidates were put in the field for this office. Frank Koupal, Independent, was elected. The election held November 5, 1899, was a victory for the Independent party; but it was also their last one. W. B. Keown and Lorenzo Blessing were the only Republicans elected. The other officials chosen were: Horace Davis, Clerk of District Court; Frank Koupal, County Clerk; R. L. Staple, Judge; H. D. Heuck, Sheriff; F. J. Ager, Surveyor; and R. A. Billings, Coroner. In 1900 the Republican party won in nation, state and county. Victor O. Johnson, the popular Independent who had been appointed County Attorney when Charles A. Munn resigned to become District Judge, was elected by a bare 14 votes. Everything was preparing for the Republican victory of 1901. The census of 1900 showed conclusively that Valley county was not en- titled to the separate office of Clerk of District Court, This was therefore CHANGES DOWN THROUGH^THE YEARS 205 ordered discontinued. In "the election r held'"November 5, 1901, only two Independents were elected. These were Judge Staple and Superintendent Ira Manchester. Everything else went Republican. The new set of offi- cials were: Alvin Blessing, Clerk; W. L. McNutt, Treasurer; John Kokes, Sheriff; C. J. Nelson, Surveyor; C. A. Brink, Coroner. The year 1902 proved still more conclusively the Republican ascend- ency in local politics. The election held November 4th of that year saw the election of Peter Mortensen, one of the first settlers in our county, to the post of State Treasurer; M. L. Fries of Arcadia was elected to repre- sent the 15th Senatorial District in the state legislature; Dr. A. E. Bartoo, 206 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP also of Arcadia, was elected State Representative; and Arthur Clements of Ord defeated Victor O. Johnson for county attorney by 196 votes. These were all Republicans. The general election of November 12, 1903, saw the end of Populist regime, so far as administrative offices are concerned. Every Republican of the previous administration was re-elected, and Hjalmar Gudmundsen Andrew J. Gillespie, Sr., the Centenarian of the Loup, Who Celebrated, His 100th Birthday at Scotia, June 4, 1905. Mr. Gillespie Has 172- Living Descendants — ' Nine Children, Seventy-seven Grandchildren, Eighty Great- Grandchildren, and Six Great-Great-Grandchildren. was chosen to succeed Judge R. L. Staple, and Alta Jones to succeed Mr. Manchester as superintendent. CHANGES DOWN THROUGH THE YEARS 207 Our last election was held in November, 1904. On that occasion M. L. Fries, A. E. Bartoo and Arthur Clements were all re-elected by good majorities. One of the greatest drawbacks in the settlement of a new section of country is a lack of means of easy transportation. The settler on the western plains early found it impractical to stray very far from a railway base. For, after all, he had to depend upon this as a depot to supply him with the necessaries of life, and in return to take his output of grain and livestock. When the Loup valley was settled, its southernmost colony was fifty miles from the nearest railway, and the Loup county colony fully twice that distance. In 1872, and for many years after that time, our lathers had to cart every pound of provisions and every foot of finishing lumber from Grand Island. That this was the direct cause of much hardship, and ma- terially retarded the development of the Loup region, goes without saying. Atrip to the "Island" was fraught with all manner of difficulties. There were rivers and creeks to be forded, for bridges were few and far between in thospi days. The early wagon-roads were mere trails and made hauling heavy loads impracticable. And finally there were the elements, summer storm and winter blast, to be reckoned with. It is therefore not to be won- dered at that the pioneers should rejoice when the Republican Vallej 7 (Union Pacific) Railroad commenced building northward from Grand Island. The new road was completed to St. Paul in 1880 and thereby shortened our distance to market by some twenty-five miles. To the Federal Government's praise it must be said that it has always done what it could to furnish outlying settlements with good mail service. The frontier star routes usually entailed a considerable annual deficit, but in spite of this thev have been kept up as an encouragement to settlement. By 1880, mail and stage routes permeated every part of our region; and daily and tri-weekly service was furnished the whole valley. The mail time-card here printed gives some idea of the completeness of this service, such as we knew it in 1882: MAIL MOVEMENTS. ARRIVES FROM THE EAST. Arrives from St. Paul, via Scotia and Springdale, daily except Sunday, at H p. ni. Arrives from St Paul, via Cotesfield and North Loup, on Tuesday, Thursday and Satur- day, at 6, p m. Arrives from Dannebrog, via Kelso, Bluffton, Mira Creek, Vinton, and Geranium, every Saturday at noon. FROM THE WEST. Arrives from Willow Springs, Fort Hartsuff and Calamus at 5:80 p. m., daily except Sunday. Arrives from The Forks and Ida on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, at 6 p. m. TEPARTS FOR THE WEST. Leaves for Calamus, Fort Hartsuff and Willow Springs, at 7:00 a. m., daily except Sunday. Leaves for Ida and The Forks at 7:00 a. m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. GOING EAST. Leaves for Springdale, Scotia and St. Paul at 7 a. m. daily, except Sunday. 208 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP Leaves for North Loup, Cotesiield and St. Paul at 7 a. m., on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Leaves for Geranium, Vinton, Mira Creek, Blutfton, Kelso and Dannebrog, at 2 p. m. on Saturdays. Stage leaves North Loup on Tuesday for Mira Creek, Vinton and Arcadia, returning on Wednesday. Stage leaves for Geranium and other points between Ord and West Union on Friday morning, and returns next morning. In the spring of 1881, the air was full of persistent railroad rumors. The TInion Pacific would extend northward from St. Paul to North Loup and Ord, it was said. Mass meetings were held at both of these places and much enthusiasm was manifested. April 8th, Ord voted the Union Pacific bonds amounting to $5,000.00, as an inducement to hasten the ex- tension; about the same time North Loup township voted the sum of $4,000.00 for a like purpose. The grade on the extension was at once be gun. Within a year the first train entered North' Loup amid general re joicing. But Ord was doomed to wait long years before her cherished hope became reality. Not before midsummer of 1886 was the track completed to Ord, which is yet the terminus of the line. Great preparations were made to celebrate the event. It was the in- tention to make this a banner day in Loup history. Citizens turned out en- masse to make the necessary arrangements. That preparations were thoroughgoing can be gathered from the minutes of the mass meeting here appended : THE RAILROAD CELEBRATION MEETING. 'Ord, Neb., July 6, 1886. As per special call of committee previously to arrange for a celebration at Ord on the completion of the railroad the citizens met at the court house. By unanimous vote Judge Laverty was made chairman, and H. A. Walker secretary. The committee reported their doings and were discharged. Up- on motion the chairman appointed the following named nine gentlemen as an executive committee: J. M. Provins, C. B. Coffin, H. C. Wolf, Peter Mortensen, II. A. Walker, Fred Cleveland, D. N. McCord, George Stover, and E. M. Coffin. H. A. Babcock, A. D. Robinson and D. N. McCord were retained to further correspond with the railroad company in regard to ex- cursion to Ord. The following committees were appointed : on invitation of speakers and special invitations, J, H. Ager, D. B. Jenckes, Geo. A. Percival, and Wra. Haskell; on finance J. L. McDonough. J. K. McConnell, E. K. Harris, and John Beran ; on program, A. A. Laverty, G. W. Wishard, I. Moore, J. M. Kiinkor and A. M. Robbins; on shade M. J. Coffin, Wm. Wentworth, John Maresh ; reception, A. M. Robbins, G. W. Milford, W. B. Johnson, E. J. Clements, P. L. Harris, W. D. Ogden, J. M. Provins, C. C. Wolf, W H. Williams, Geo. O Ferguson, A. II. Schaefer, T. R. Linton, Rev. Dodder, E. A. Russell; on music, Geo. A. Percival, D. Quackenbush, J. G. Sharp; on printing, editors-in-chief of North Loup Mirror, Ai'cadia Courier, Ord Democrat, Ord Weekly Quiz, and Valley County Journal; mar- shal, W. B. Johnson, with A. W. Travis, John Wentworth, Bud Likes, CHANGES DOWN THROUGH THE YEARS 209 Wm. McKenney, Fred Bartlett and Steve Weare assistants; on ammunition, Chas. Feiger, J. (J. Heddle, Ezra McMichael, with request that they secure a cannon from Grand Island, if possible. The executive committee were empowered to appoint any sub-committee advisable. A motion carried inviting citizens, farmers, mechanics, tradesmen, and secret organizations to take part in a general industrial parade, Wm. Wentworth being manager. It was decided we celebrate ou or about July 23d, 1886. Meeting adjourned subject to special call of executive committee. H. A. Walker, Sec." The date of the celebration was later definitely set for the 29th of July. The fete was liberally advertised and every preparation made for a glori- ous ratification. Then at the last moment word came from railway head- quarters stating that it would be impossible for them to furnish the desired An Early Photograph of the Ord Court House and Square. The Trees Have now Grown so Large as to almost entirely Hide the Building from View. train by the specified time. The result was a great disappointment and ended by the celebration being definitely called off. The year 1887 had a surprise in store for the Loup region. It was the unheralded coming of the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad. To be sure surveying outfits had been passing through the valley at various times during the spring, but that was not taken very seriously as the Union Pa- cific experience had made most men rather pessimistic on railroad questions. But when one bright day in March, gang after gang of graders commenced filing through Ord on their way up the country, the doubter received a sud- den set-back. By April 1st, grades were beginning to take form all along the route and the whole valley rejoiced. Tne following appeared in one of the newspapers at that time: 210 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP "Last Saturday a B. &M. grading outfit came into town without ceremony or forewarning. It consists of 60 mule teams and about 100 men, all pro- vided with abundance of new implements. Monday they pitched their tents at various points up the river as far as Meeks' place. The first camp is on Dane Creek just north of town, and the dirt is flying in grand shape. This move on the part of the B. & M. was the greatest possible surprise to the Ordites and naturally enough they are elated over this good luck and rejoice over the boom that must inevitably come. It has been a question in what direction the B. & M. will connect with their main line, but that is pretty well settled now. The line will run from Central City to Greeley Center and from thence to Ord leaving Scotia out in the cold. In this way Ord will have a direct B. & M. line to Lincoln and a competing line to both Lincoln and Omaha. The object of the B. & M. starting work at Ord first is evidently to cut off all possibility of the U. P, going farther up the stream. It will have the line completed to Ord as soon as the grade above this place will be ready for the ties. It is undoubtedly true that surveyors of the Northwestern railroad are at work headed for Ord. The company has already made a survey to this place and the second visit means some- thing. With the U. P., B. & M. and the Northwestern Ord will be a great railroad center indeed." The coming of the B. & M. was important in more ways than one. In Greeley county is settled the fate of Scotia so far as being the county seat is concerned. Greeley Center, near the geographical center of the county, lay in the path of the new road. This settled the county seat controversy in its favor. The B. & M. was the making of Burwell in Garfield county, and as completely the undoing of poor Willow Springs on the opposite side of the river. Loup county, too, was greatly benefited by the railroad for, although it did not tap the county, Taylor and Almeria were brought fully 20 miles nearer railroad communications by its coming. Arcadia and the Middle Loup had long awaited the building of some railroad. The Union Pacific filed a plat of extension of the O. &R. V. E. R. up the Middle Loup, with the county Clerk October 27, 1886, and Arcadia lived in the happy expectancy of its early advent. The road was built from St. Paul through Dannebrog and Boelus, to Loup City, but that is up to the present time its terminus. For here, too, the Burlington played a lucky hand. From Palmer in Merrick county, it quietly built westward through Saint Paul to Loup City, and then followed the identical route selected by the Union Pacific up the Middle Loup to Arcadia, cutting out the latter at Loup City. Lately the B. & M. has been extended from Arcadia to Sar- gent in Custer county, and may in time be projected further northwestward. The Newspaper and the Valley. CHAPTER XVIII. In the United States a constant interest in political or social affairs, complete freedom from censorship or restriction except that provided by the liberal laws, have given five per cent of the population of the world forty per cent of its newspapers.-lnves- tigator. THE PRINTING PRESS was set up at an early date in our Valley, and from the very first has it been one of the most potent factors in oar development. The early newspaper became the mouthpiece of the pioneers, calling upon the older settlements to send their quota to re-mforce Sie small bands upon the frontier. It rallied the settlers when they were discouraged. It held them together and molded sentiment and public opin- ion In the lat er day it has this power still. It advertises us abroad and interests the world in our possibilities; at home it chronicles our common history and speaks our sentiments in social and political affairs The Valley County Herald was the first newspaper published m the county It was established at Calamus in the fall of 1875 by W H. Mit- chell,' a lawyer, and was published there for two years, when it was re- moved to Ord. Calamus proved in the days of its boom a very profitable newspaper town, but when the first signs of the early decadence ot Port Hartsuff appeared and the county seat began to take form, Mr. Mitchell de- cided to take time by the forelock and get out while there was yet time. Thus the Herald became an Ord paper. Meanwhile a competitor had en- tered the field. This was the Valley County Courier, established at Vinton early in 1877 by Henry W. Nelson and L. P. Granger, who hoped through the medium of their paper to draw investors to the new townsite How- ever, after printing the Courier for six long months in a lone dugout on the prairie, the partners despaired of making the venture a success. Mr. Grander sold his interest to Mr. Nelson, who now as sole owner moved to Ord and re-established the Courier there as the first newspaper at the coun- ty seat. In a very short time the Herald was also in the field But as both papers were republican the picking became mighty slim and Mr. Mitchell was glad to sell the Herald to J. C. Lee, who changed the paper to a Green- back sheet, in accord with the greenback sentiment of the times But un- fortunately for the new venture, our people did not fancy the Greenback doctrines, accordingly the Herald failed. This was just after election. 212 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP Later, we are told, the plant was removed to Grand Island where it became the the nucleus of the Grand Island Democrat. On February 3, 1879, Henry W. Nelson sold the Courier to Joe H. Capron who changed its name to the Valley County Journal. Mr. Capron had learned the printing trade at Preeport, Illinois, but through the solici- tation of his brother, Lieutenant Capron, became Quartermaster's clerk at Port Hartsuff. As was natural, however, he was glad to get back to his chosen profession. No sooner had the new paper got into good work- ing order than misfortune overtook it. On the night of March 23, its printing office was burned to the ground, entailing an almost total loss. But the new editor did not despair. A new outfit was immediately ordered from Chicago and arrived after much tedious waiting. For those were times of slow transportation, as the last sixty-five miles of the route were overland. Meanwhile, as there was no other printing office in the Valley where the paper might be published temporarily, the Journal suspended publication till the new office could be put into shape. On May 7, the re- habilitated paper was again in the field, better and brighter than ever. August 5, 1881, Charles C. Wolf associated himself with Mr. Capron in the management of the paper. The Journal was published by the firm of Capron and Wolf till Dec. 31, 1883,. when Mr. Wolf retired to become post master of Orel. On July 14, 1881, another lawyer by the name of C. S. Copp estab- lished the Independent. This paper also was Republican in politics and found the field already pretty well taken up. After less than three months the management of the paper was changed. It now appeared with Winin- ger and Clayton as publishers and R. H. Clayton as editor. The latter was an able newspaper man and in almost any other newspaper field than in that of Republican Valley county would have made a marked success. He made the Independent a fiery opposition sheet and throughout the cam- paign of 1881 and for some months thereafter put up a plucky fight against "Republican corruption." But this paper weakened for want of support. On January 16, 1882, it met its fate and was discontinued. The Ord Quiz was established April 6, 1882, by W. W. Haskell as a Re- publican paper, and will soon be able to celebrate its quarter centennial anniversary under its original founder. Mr. Haskell has this to say about the founding of the paper: "On the day after election in 1881, I appeared on the scene with an eye to the newspaper business. There seemed to be no room for three papers so I awaited the death of the Independent, which seemed inevitable. The expected occurred and the first Quiz uutfit was ordered. This arrived during March, 1882, and April 6, the same year, the first issue appeared." During the twenty-four years of the Quiz's pub- lication it has been known as a staunch Republican paper. Through foul report and fair, it has been loyal to its party; never for an instance has it hesitated in its allegiance to the principles that it represented. And as a reward the Quiz finds itself today the strongest and most popular news- paper in our part of the Loup Valley. THE NEWSPAPERS OF THE VALLEY 213 Meanwhile, the county grew in population and the Democrats came to feel the lack of an organ of their own persuasion. To make amends for this M. Randall and other Democrats circulated a subscription paper to aid in the establishment of such a paper. In the fall of 1884, Evans Brothers arrived from Iowa and started The Standard. After a few months John Evans retired from the firm and his brother Jack pegged away till Feb- ruary, 1885, and then turned the plant over to Provins and McDonough. The new management evidently not wishing the public to be left in doubt as to the politics of their paper, re-dubbed it The Ord Democrat. Mr. Provins, taking sick, sold his interest to Byron Griffith, who in turn sold out to J. L McDonough. December 10, 1886, J. R. Clayton, of the defunct Independent, began to edit the Democrat on a salary and got along very The Elms- Home of J. R. Williams, Ord. nicely till the paper was sold to the true-blue Jeffersonian Democrat, A. W. Jackson. This was April 16, 1888. Between 1886 and '88 a remakable pohibition sentiment manifested it- self in Valley county. July 7, 1887, C. C. Wolf bought the Valley County Journal and changed its name to The Pohibition Star. Mr. Wolf unfortunate- ly found the new venture a losing one. Shortly after election The Star was merged with The Quiz. The printing plant was used in the new Willow Springs Gazette, established by Rogers and Haskell at Willow Springs in Garfield county. Less than a month after the appearance of the Star,. O. S. Haskell and Rev. B. F. Hilton embarked upon a new prohibition ven- ture called The Blizzard. Rev. Hilton soon tired of the paper and with- drew, leaving O. S. Haskell as sole proprietor. Early in 1890 Mr. Haskell was carried away on the populist bide and changed his politics The Bliz- zard novy became a populist organ. O. S. Haskell soon sold out to Dr, 214 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP J. M. Klinker who changed the Blizazrd to The Ord Journal. The latter published the paper till October 16, 1893, and then sold out to B. A. Brew- ster. He, in turn, relinquished his paper to the experienced, old news- paper man, J. L. Claflin, of St. Paul. This was February 13, 1894. Some six weeks after this, March 30, Mr. Claflin also bought the Democrat from A. W. Jackson and merged the two under the name of the Ord Journal. But the pioneer populist newspaper in Valley county was The Independent, Street Scene, Burwell. founded by Leonard Brothers in December, 1890. They barely made ends meet and were glad to dispose of their plant to D. J. Martz, who in turn changed the paper's name to The People's Advocate. But this paper never prospered ; and after barely existing for some time, Mr. Martz moved the entire outfit to Oklahoma. The passing of the Advocate left but two papers in the field, the Quiz THE NEWSPAPERS OF THE VALLEY 215 and The Journal. Of these the Journal was destined to go tnrough still further changes. Thus in October, 1894, and just before election, Mr. Ciaflin for some reason sold out to A. W. Jackson. But this Simon- pure Democrat did not relish writing populist editorials and again, in Jan- uary 1894, the paper was re-sold to Mr. Ciaflin. From this time on till January 1890, the Ord Journal remained under his management. Then Mr. Ciaflin sold out to Charles Smith, expecting to leave the newspaper work Public School Building of Burwell. for a new field of activity. But for various reasons the Journal once more passed into Mr. Claflin's hands. Since that time it has been published variously by Horace M. Davis, Miles Brothers, Davis and Parks, and now, in 1905, again by Horace M. Davis who is making it one of the newsiest and strongest papers in our Valley. January 27, 1887, L. J. Harris founded th'e Real Estate Register at Ord. 216 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP It lasted only a few months and then died a peaceful death. In May, 1897, The Valley County Times was founded by Harris and Leggett. But in November of the same year Harris retired from the firm leaving H. D. Leg- gett the sole proprietor. The paper was Republican in politics. It was well edited and enterprising; but there was hardly field enough to support two republican newspapers at the county seat. In November, 1901, Mr. Lcggett therefore sold his paper to the Quiz. As things now stand Ord has but two papers the Quiz and the Journal. The press was first represented in North Loup by the Mirror, estab- lished by R. S. Buchanan in June, 1882. Mr. Buchanan emphasized that "the Mirror shall be pure in tone, enterprising in business and news, lucid and strong in editorials and staunch in favor of the Republican doctrine." White Towers; Home of A. M. Daniels, Ord. Judge N. H. Parks soon after this entered the field with The Herald, a Democratic paper of much merit. The Mirror suspended publication and The Herald was succeeded by The Farmers' Advocate, an independent paper. It was first edited by one F. C. Beeman and later by E. E. Chamberlain. It too suspended publication on the approach of the hard years. The only newspaper in North Loup to show much vitality is The Loy- alist which has quite an interesting history. When the Burwell Bell was burned out and forced to give up the ghost its press, practically all that was saved from the fire, was purchased by E. W. Black, who moved it to North Loup to become the substantial part of the Loyalist plant there. The first issue was printed October 13, 1885. That there should be no mistake about its politics, Mr. Black gave his paper this motto: "For the party that saved the nation and remembered the veteran, the widow, and THE NEWSPAPERS OF THE VALLEY 217 the orphan." Mr. Black who was quite a naturalist and had many and varied interests did not devote much of his time to local affairs. This nat- urally did not suit his subscribers. When the irrigation boom was on at North Loup, the Loyalist was the mouthpiece for those interests. R. R. Thomgate edited the paper for a couple of years as Mr. Black had other irons in the tire. Finallv, November 14, 1895, it breathed its last in a very caustic editorial, in which Mr. Black took occasion to charge North Loup and North Loupers with things which would look anything but complimen- tary should they be repeated here. For two years and a half the Loyalist lay dormant. Then, April 15, 1898, it was resurrected by E. S. Eves who published it for six months only. In turn H. L. Rood and Horace Davis took charge of the plant and promised to issue the poor old Loyalist as a "non-partisan" paner. Now the former of the two editors was an ardent Populist while the latter his been a lite long Djinoarat. No wonder then that the Loyalist, in spite of promises to the contrary, came to have certain "demo-pop" proclivities. However, it was a good paper. In May, 1899, Walter G. Rood, the present editor, purchased the plant and re-established it as a Republican pauer. The Arcadia Courier was the first paper established in Arcadia, This was in April, 1886, and its owner and editor was O. D. Crane. The paper, like its successor, The Champion, was Republics in politics. The paper continued publication till late in 1890, when it suspended. At that tune Arcadia's future looked anything but bright— the drought had killed the crops and fire had burned out the heart of the business quarter of the town. No wonder then that the editor got discouraged and quit. For rive years Arcadia had to get alonn as best she could without a newspaper. Then in 1895 the Champion was started by C. L. Day. The first five years it eked out a precarious existence under an ever-changing management. In March, 1900, the present, hustling editor, Harold O. Cooley, got control of the paper and under his management a new future is opening up before it. The Willow Springs Gazette was the first newspaper in Garfield county. It was established" in 1884 by W. W. Haskell of the Ord Quiz. The paper was Republican in politics and was placed under the management of a Mr. Rogers. When Willow Srings lost the county seat the Gazette was moved to Burwell where it continued publication under the old management till it was sold to Jack Evans and backers in 1887. It now became a Demo- cratic sheet and was rechristened The Lever. But Garfield county was getting mere papers than it could well support, accordingly The Lever was suppressed in 1889. The first newspaper actually established on Burwell townsite was The Burwell Bell, which first appeared Friday, March 6, 1885 with L. M. Hart as editor and publisher. Of the paper's politics the editor had this to say in this first issue; "Some would call us a Republican because we favor a tariff ; others would say we are Greenbacker because we oppose the national banking system ; and still others would insist that we area Democrat." Mr. Hart evidently intended to run an independent paper, a thing pretty 218 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP hard to do, especially in a small country town. He said : "We have come to stay if we can make it pay." Evidently he did not make it pay for after a few short weeks the Bell tolled its last and was no more. When the Gazette removed its printing plant from Willow Springs the business men there induced William Z. Todd to establish a new paper. This he called the Willow Springs Enterprise. It was first published in 1888. But its career here was destined to be a brief one. The warring business interests of the rival towns came to a final understanding in 1889, whereby the remaining Willow Springs business houses were removed to Burwell. This general exodus forced Mr, Todd to follow suit and re-estab- lish himself as best he could in that town. His paper now became the Gar- field Enterprise,. Meanwhile W. T. Harriman had founded a secund Bur- well paper. The Quaver, in 1887. Mr. Todd purchased this paper and A Modern Farm Home on the Loup; Beautiful "Cedar Lawn Farm," owned by A. J. Firkins, Ord. merged it with his Enterprise in 1891. Three .years after this he sold his newspaper interests and went to Colorado. But he soon longed for the flesh-pots of the Loup and came back in 1896, and leased his old paper, now, for sake of variety, called The Progress. The name evidently did not suit Mr. Todd who speedily redubbed it The Mascot. Back in 1888 the Taylor Republican and Loup Valley Alliance were bought by a stock company and moved to Burwell. The new sheet was is- sued to promote the interests of the Independent party just springing into being. Its editorial staff changed rather frequently. Thus in the course of its very brief career Wm. Evans, Adolph Alderman, Tom Day and Van Mathews all took turn about running it. Then R. L. Miller got control of it, changing its name to The Eye. The Mascott in turn absorbed The Eye in 1898. S. Hoyt assumed charge of The Mascot in 1899 and changed its THE NEWSPAPERS OF THE VALLEY 219 politics to the Populist faith and the county was without a Republican organ. Now Todd founded such a paper and named it The Tribune. But the end of changes was not to be here. In 1902 Guy Laverty got control of both papers and merged them under the name of the Mascot. For a lit- tle over a year this gentleman published it as a Populist paper. In Octo- ber, 1903, the last change took place. Then Mr. Todd bought the Mascot and changed it to The Tribune, making it at the same time a good Repub- lican paper. The Blade, lately started by S. Hoyt, as a Republican organ, became superfluous and was soon merged with The Tribune, which is the only newspaper in Burwell today. Loup county's newspaper history is not so varied as that of Garfield county. The Loup County Clarion was established by H. A. Phillips at Kent in 1883, and was subsequently moved to Taylor. It changed editors from time to time but politics only once. Thus William Croughwell and later J. B. Lashbrook, had charge of it. Then came Wm. Evans who ran it for a couple of years as a Populist paper It was again re-established as a Republican paper by E. Andrews, who edits it at the present time under the name of the Taylor Clarion. The Loup County News, another Populist paper was founded by R. S. Schoffield in 1902. Within the last few months it was sold to J. G. Wirzig who says he will make it non partisan. Scotia had one of the earliest newspapers in the entire valley the Greeely Tribune, established by R. S. Buchanan in 1878. For three years the paper was issued as the Republican organ of Greeley county. Then Mr. Buchanan moved his plant to North Loup and founded the Mirror. A. B. Lewis immediately purchased a new outfit and re-established the Tri- bune. Next appeared the Democratic paper, The Index, edited by R. F. Clayton, who bobs up from time to time in our newspaper history. But his sheet died young and may be passed without further comment. The history of the Tribune is anything but thrilling. Continuous change in the editorial head and even name will just about tell the whole story. Thus in the fall of 1885 Hamlin W. Sawyer came into possession of the plant and changed the name to Loup Valley Gazette. In a brief time again it became the property of George McAnulty who saw fit to re-dub it the Greeley County Graphic. Late in 1888 Mr. McAnulty sold out to W. T. Faucett, who called his paper the Scotia Republican. The latter editor actually stayed by the paper two whole years and then sold to Henry Alnut, who renamed it The Independent. In 1893 W. E. Morgan got possession of it and played a bad trick on Scotia by moving paper and all to Greeley Center. Here he merged the Independent with the old Greeley Leader un- der the name Leader-Independent. This paper is yet published at Greeley Center by Tom Hardesty. For almost a year Scotia had' to get along with- out a paper. Then, in 1894, Henry C. Waldrip commenced publishing The Scotia Register, a Republican paper, which has since been the only paper in the town. Away back in 1884 Judge N. H. Parks established the Scotia Herald, a strong, well-edited Democratic paper, which continued till 1891 when it also was moved to Greeley Center. The Critical Period in Loup Valley History. CHAPTER XIX. Smiling and beautiful, heaven's dome Bends softly o'er our prairie home. But the wide, wide lands that stretch away Before my eyes in the days of May. The rolling prairie's billowy swell Breezy upland and timbered dell, Stately mansion and hut forlorn — Are all hidden by walls of corn. All the wide world is narrowed down To the walls of corn, now sere and brown. What do they hold — these walls of corn, Whose banners toss in the breeze of morn ? Ellen P. Allerton, "Walls of Corn," TVTEBRASKA became a state in 1867. Five years of statehood brought ■*• ^ much prosperity to the new commonwealth. But soon, after sundry warnings, the financial storm of 1873 burst over the nation and state. Times became desperately hard. All classes suffered and the rural popu- lation in particular became greatly disaffected. The granges which had long existed as social organizations, entered politics, forced as it were by prevailing economic conditions. "The farmers," they averred, "worked harder and more hours than the artisans, had poorer food and fewer privi- leges — while the men who handled the farmers' products were better off than either farmers or mechanics and were rapidly getting rich." The granger movement had an amazing growth. By midsummer of 1873 more than 250 granges had been organized. The state government was charged with incompetency, existing sys- tems of taxation were declared inadequate and unjust. Their chief griev- ance was against the great railroad corporations doing business within the state. Nor was this without foundation. The Union Pacific and Bur- lington systems stubbornly refused to pay taxes on their land grants. Various excuses for not paying were trumped up and for years were many communities throughout the state unable to collect taxes from these cor- porations. In Valley county, for example, bonds had been issued for public im- provements based on calculations to collect the Burlington railroad tax. The county commissioners could not collect a cent for years, and. amusing THE CRITICAL PERIOD IN LOUP VALLEY HISTORY 221 as it now sounds, were threatened with arrest should they not desist. This condition of things put our local government in desperate straits. And naturally enough left a grudge against the railroads. When the issue was finally forced to a head a compromise was agreed upon and one-half of all the assessed taxes had to be accepted as sufficient payment of all claims. The inadequate revenue system in the state, as mentioned above, was another grievance. Many counties flatly refused to pay their taxes. In- deed one-third of all the taxes levied in the state between 1869 and 1873 re- mained unpaid. At the close of 1873 there were $300,000 in state taxes delinquent, and $400,000 in local taxes. Money became extremely stringent and farm produce brought shamefully low prices. Then right on top of all this came the grasshoppers and devoured the crops and "there was real destitution in the sod houses and dug-outs along the border." But it is not the purpose to re-tell this sad story now. Let it suffice that the Nebraska Relief and Aid Society disbursed $08,000 among the sufferers. Congress appropriated both money and seed-grain, and in sundry ways aided the homesteaders. Some of this aid reached the Loup, and did much to keep the wolf from the door. The year 1875 was a dull utie on the Loup. The loss of crops of the year before coupled with the general depression existing throughout the en- tire state kept newcomers out of the Valley. To add to the gloom crops again became a partial failure. Dry weather and locally hatched locusts damaged the growing grains and reduced the yield seriously; 1876 was an exact repetition of the previous year. But a change came. The growing season of 1877 was very favorable and farmers harvested abundant crops. The state, too. was slowly recov- ering from the panic of 1873. Once again the attention of homesteaders was called to the possibilities of tbe beautiful Loup Valley. Many who had lost in the desperate game of chance in the days of wildcat speculation back East, and others seeking cheap lands, came pouring into the Valley. The year 1878 more than quadrupled the acreage of cultivated lands. That year, and again 1879, were marked for their fine crops. A population of almost 2,200 was now scattered from Scotia to The Forks and further up the Loup. But these were small things when compared with the great movement of settlers just about to begin. The decade 1880-"90 marks a new era of prosperity in Nebraska. The long "nightmare of depression" resulting from the panic of 1873, was at an end. A substantial class of settlers came out of Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin and other states, eager for homesteads and glad to purchase relinquishments from restless pioneers. Wealth and population increased many fold. The railroads began building new lines to keep up with the general movement. The F., E. & M. V. threw open the northern part of the state. The Union Pacific, Burlington and other lines initiated a system of expansion, running a network of branch lines throughout their part of the state and up every available watercourse and into every promising farming community. 222 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP Prior to this time only the choicest pieces of land had been settled. Now white-topped prairie schooners were everywhere visible. Homestead- ers and pre-empters quickly culled out the remaining good tracts. But the eager scramble for claims did not cease with that. The dry cattle country was invaded, and even the sand-hill ranges did not escape. Nowhere was the movement more marked than on the Loup. Valley county alone in- creased her population more than 30 per cent in six months. All the Valley lands were snapped up. The river bluffs showed signs of settle- ment. On the edge of the sand-hills sod houses and strips of breaking could be seen. It was all one mad rush for land — land in any shape or con- t ) s w jLi; —a: kf/ -i ■•' t, \.V ' ■'■" i- Ew k/1 ' "~ ~ s W"' M , i i ■bU fBkaM & 'J Jjj ■yL: \ijL 1 jS w MM The Evergreens; Home of Dr. F. D. Haldeman, Ord. dition. A cycle of wet years had set in. Crops grew luxuriously every- where. Even the high plateaus in the western and northwestern parts of the state blossomed like the rose. Nebraska entered upon a real estate boom of vast dimensions. The speculative fever seized the people. The east had idle capital to invest in western lands. A period of borrowing was at hand. People who had no idea whatever of making their permanent home there filed on sand-hill claims and reared their sod huts close by the smoking blow-out. The head- waters of the Loup and Calamus had their quota of these fortune hunters. Unscrupulous loan agents, more intent on earning their commissions than on serving their eastern principals, were eager to loan money on any kind of land. Security for the money seemed to trouble them but little. The New England Loan and Trust Co. and other great corporations did a rush- ing business in sand-hills and other worthless lands, and to this day do they regret ever having heard the name Nebraska spoken. Heaps of crumbling THE CRITICAL PERIOD IN LOUP VALLEY HISTORY 223 sod yet mark the place where some of these sand-hill speculators reared their roofs. Another unfortunate feature of all this '-easy money" was the borrow- ing habit into which so many fell. All manner of expensive machinery, bought on credit, could be seen littering the barnyard or standing unshel- tered at some fence corner. The top buggy and carriage began to displace the good old lumber wagon. Sundry extravagance was the mark of the times. But a dav of reckoning was fast approaching when "tight money" and contracted loans were to force many an unfortunate, improvident farmer to the wall. The cycle of wet years came to an end at last— in. 1890. That year the o-rowino- season began propitiously enough, but as time passed the needed rains failed to come. Instead, week after week, the hot, burmn- sun Home of Hon. Tom Doran of Burwell, Under Construction. glared down from a cloudless steel-blue sky. The dread hot winds blew in from the south. Day after day they continued. All fodder, small grain and corn were cut short. Where farming had been carried on extensively rather than intensively the yield amounted to preciously near nothing. The careful expert got some returns for his work, though small. The northern part of our Vallev fared better than the districts lying farther south, where in many places there was not enough fodder gathered to carry the stock through the winter. Those of the settlers who had come here poor, and who had borrowed freely while money was plentiful now faced a crisis. The bubble of speculation suddenly burst. Pay-day was at hand and where should the monev come from? , Right here the critical period in Loup Valley history begins. Ihe 224 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP years from 1890 to 1896 were crucial in our development, and may justly be marked as the most important six years we have known. The import- ance of this test period can hardly be overestimated for it marked the com- mencement of a struggle for the betterment of economic conditions, which lias already led to a more solid prosperity in our Valley. The year 1890 found the nation entering a period of financial stringency. This taken to- gether with crop failures resulted locally in hard times, chronic dissatis- faction and much real suffering. The cry against existing conditions of things came from the farm. The Farmers' Alliance, at first a purely agri- cultural organization, entered politics to find a panacea for the ills of the times. Memorable days were at hand. Midsummer of 1890 beheld 1,500 Farmers' Alliances in the field with a membership of 50,000. "There were no crops to gather so the people gathered in numbers never seen before or The Charles I. Bragg Residence, Burwell. since, out in the groves away from the towns. Farmers' Alliance parades seven and eight miles long were among the sights of the campaign, and the enthusiasm of the monster meetings defied description. Everywhere there was a breaking away from former political affiliation, and the chorus, 'Good bye, Old Party, Good-bye,' was chanted with religious ferver by thousands of throats." In the November election the new People's In- dependent party won an overwhelming victory, gaining control of the state legislature and electing two out of three congressmen. The work of reform began. On the Loup old-time Republican strongholds became in turn fastnesses for the new party. The farmer had spoken and — acted. In many respects he blundered, as all reformers will; but none can deny that much good has come and is yet to come from this political revolution — and THE CRITICAL PERIOD IN LOUP VALLEY HISTORY 225 it was a revolution. The People's Independent party may never live to reap the fruits of its efforts — for it was untrue to its own fundamental prin- ciples — but it has served a period of inestimable usefulness all the same, and the community, state and nation are the winners. In a purely economic sense the hard years had a remarkable effect upon our community. The disgruntled ones and all who lacked the natural thrift to surmount the many hardships of those times became weeded out. This left the sturdiest and" best of the old population in possession of the Valley, and opened the way for a new class of farmers and business men, possessed of better methods of farming and ample capital to make the most of the riches hidden in our fertile soil. But this is getting ahead of our story. To get back to the dry years : Home of Harry Coffin, Burwell. The growing season of 1891 fortunately yielded good crops and eased conditions materially. '92 and '93 were rather dry though fair crops were harvested where hailstorms had not already spared the garnerer his trou- ble. Then came the never-to-be-forgotten drought year 1894. And who can ever forget that year ! The spring and summer of 1894 was marked by unusual meteorological phenomena. Rainfall was withheld for months from the great plains and portions of the central prairies. All moisture seemed to disappear from the atmosphere. In sections even spring rains failed to come. There was hardly enough moisture in the soil to germinate the seed. Where it sprang up it was only to be withered by the blasting winds. The sun set at night in a sickly yellowish glare only to rise morning after morning upon a hope- less, steel-blue sky. Crops died. The loose soil from the dusty fields filled. 230 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP ish naval service. Thus during the Dano-German War of 1864 he took part in the battle of Heligoland where the Danish fleet defeated and put to flight the united German and Austrian naval forces. Soon after the war he came to America, spending four years in Illinois and Missouri. In April, 1872, as told elsewhere in the book, he came to Valley county and settled upon the southwest quarter of the famous section 8, Ord township. Here, on July 6, 1873, he was married to Johanne Mortensen, thus making good his right to having been the first man married in the new county. They have six children who have grown up to be useful members of soci- ety. The Andersons still own their old homestead although .they have for many years made their home on a timber-claim near Ord. They have ac- cumulated much of this world's goods, and are growing old in our midst, respected and honored by all who know them. AYERS, C. M. — Is perhaps one of the best known of all the early set- tlers in the neighborhood of North Loup. He was born in Clark county, Ohio, in July, 1838. His father died when he was but a small boy and so in 1854 he and his mother moved to Rock county, Wisconsin. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. E. 5th Wisconsin Infantry and served till July, 1864. While leading the life of a soldier he was engaged in the battles of Williamsburg, Savage Station, Antietam, two battles at Predricksburg. Gettysburg, Wilderness and several others of importance. In September, 1872, Mr. Ayers was married and in October of the same year made a trip to the North Loup Valley where he took a homestead and then immediately went back to Wisconsin for his wife. He returned in April, 1873, and has been a resident of Valley county ever since. In 1892 he retired from hard work on account of an injury received while in the army and subsequent bad health. He is now a resident of North Loup. BABCOCK, OSCAR, — Legislator, postmaster, farmer and stock-raiser, came to Valley county, Neb., and located on a homestead at what is now a part of North Loup, in November, 1872. This is now a thriving village containing about five hundred people. The village was laid out by J. A. Green, under the supervision of Mr. Babcock, July 17, 1874, on the north- east quarter of section 35, town 18, range 13, with an addition laid out in June, 1881, by Oscar Babcock; second addition made in May, 1882. Mr. Babcock was president of a Seventh-Day Baptist colony which was organ- ized in Waushara county, Wis., which colony settled in North Loup in May, 1872. Mr. B. arrived with his family in November of the same year. His wife died in Waushara, Wisconsin, in the fall of 1872. They have four children.— Edwin J., Arthur E., Myra and George J. Mr. B, with his small children settled in a dug-out fourteen feet square and lived there un- til the summer of 1873, when he erected a red cedar block house. He was pastor of the Seventh-Day Baptist Church for more than five years, preach- ing the first sermon in a small grove on the bank of the North Loup River, in May, 1872, to a congregation of twenty-five pioneers. He was appointed agent of immigration for Valley county. He has been postmaster off and on ever since January, 1873. He was born in Cattaraugas county, N. Y., BIOGRAPHICAL 231 March 15, 1831, and lived in his native state until 1819. His family then moved to Rock county, Wis., where he attended school lor live years, then to Waushara county, Wis., being the first of the pioneers in the then wilds of central Wisconsin. He is a self-educated and thoroughly practical busi- ness man. His first wife's maiden name was Metta A. Bristol, of New York state. He was again married in 1877, to Miss Hattie E. Payn of North Loud, who died in February, 1880. Mr. B. was a member of the Wisconsin Legislature in 1865-66; was elected Probate Judge of Valley county, hold- ing the office one term; was County Superintendent of schools one term; in the Nebraska State Legislature in 1879. Elder Babeock is the president of the "Old settlers' Meeting" of the North Loup Valley and does much to further the interest in this organization. BABCOCK, HEMAN A.— who but lately died while holding the office of Deputy State Treasurer under Peter Mortensen, is one of the early trail- ers whose memory will long be cherished on the Loup. He came to North Loup, May 15, 1872, and located on a homestead in section 2, township 19, range 13. He was the first sheriff of Valley county, and held the office of clerk from 1876 to 1882. Later he was elected president of the First National Bank at Ord and then Auditor of the State of Nebraska. Since that time he has held many lucrative positions of trust under the various state administrations. He was born in Cattaraugas county, New York, May 19, 1842. He later removed with his parents to Wisconsin. He en- listed in 1863 in Co. G., Thirty-Seventh Reg., Wisconsin Volunteer Infan- try and was mustered out in 1865 as Sergeant Major. After spending some years in Minnesota he joined the Seventh-Day Baptist colony of Waushara county, Wisconsin, at North Loup. He was married August 28, 1862, to Retta O. Bristol of Kenosha county, Wisconsin. They have two grown sons, Everett C. and Royal O. BABCOCK, N. W.— was born in Shelby county. Ohio, in 1844. When he was ten years old his parents took up their home in Iowa where he lived till 1872. At this time he moved to Nebraska and took a pre-emption claim about three and one-half miles southeast from North Loup. In the following year he purchased his present farm and has lived there and in North Loup ever since. Mr. Babcock has always been a farmer and a glance at his well kept place will satisfy everyone that he has been success- ful in his chosen calling. BADGER, DR. CHARLES— was born in Kingsbury, Washington county, N. Y., on the 21st of March, 1824. He lived in his native state un- til eighteen years of age, during the last three years of which he taught in the public school of his native town. From this time until the age of twenty-two he studied theology. From twenty-two to twenty-seven years of age he studied medicine and clerked in a store. On June 9, 1851, he went before Drs. Johnson and Bartlett, of Milwaukee, Censors of the State Medical examiners, and upon their recommendaton received the society's diploma at the hands of Alfred L. Castleman, who was then president of the society. In the same month he commenced the practice of medicine 228 THE TRAIL OP THE LOUP selves to our peculiar climatic conditions. In years gone by they clung to their corn and spring wheat. There was a strange notion abroad that winter wheat could not be grown with profit in the North Platte country. This delusion has long been exploded, and winter wheat is now one of our most important crops. Alfalfa has solved the fodder question. This remarkably prolific plant seems to have settled for good all fear of a repe- tition of dry seasons. Even should droughts again strike the Valley the alfalfa, the bromegrass and the English bluegrass would be pretty sure to give "roughness" sufficient to keep our large herds in plenty. The past decade has wrought an economic revolution in the North and Middle Loup Valleys. Prosperity is manifest on every hand The farmer has become independent. His granaries and sheds are full to bursting; his pastures are dotted with herds of blooded cattle. Pine modern homes supplant the humbler dwellings of yesterday. Dugouts and sod houses are even now becoming curiosities belonging to an era of beginnings now well- nigh spent. Towns and villages are taking on metropolitan airs. Modern conveniences which a few years ago would have been deemed luxuries are found in every well-appointed home. Real estate values have increased marvelously; and yet is is not an artificial increase but the legitimate result of prosperous times and continued good crops. Three decades back this remarkable region was a great "unfenced buf- falo pasture," its virgin soil all untouched by the ploughshare. Today it is the home of thousands of prosperous families and its annual output of crops runs high into the millions. Then there was not a school nor a church nor a printing press in the Valley. Today these are everywhere disseminating the wisdom and morality which has given us high place in the sisterhood of counties forming our great commonwealth. Today a race of clear-vis- ioned. broad-minded men and women, dwelling on high-land plateau and in lowland valley unite in grateful praise of the first comers who opened the trail of the Loup and made all of this prosperity possible. The Brave Men and Women who Opened the "Trail of the Loup." Biographical. CHAPTER XX This suction of the work is devoted to very brief biographical sketch- es of the brave men and women who opened the trail of the Loup. We should have said some of the brave men and women, for it has been prac- tically impossible to see personally all who deserve a place here. It is to be regretted that all olp-timers did not send in their biographies as they were invited to do through the press of the Valley. Space was offered free to every pioneer and if advantage was not taken of this the fault must lie with him rather than with the author. Some who are prominently men- toned in the main body of the text are not mentioned in this list. Valley County. ADAMS, A. S.— Mr. A. S. Adams was born in Hounsville, N. Y., Sept. 18, 1832. When he was but three years old his parents moved to Pil- lar Point, in Jefferson County, N. Y. Here he lived till the winter of 1852 when being taken with the "Gold Fever" which was so prevalent at that time he set sail in the South Hampton, a store ship under Commodore Perry, and landed in Placer County, Cal- ifornia, the following spring. He now lived the life of a miner till August, 1861, when he enlisted in the jfgjfa Union army. Upon being discharged some three |M|mJJ^ years and twenty one days later, he went to New York and married Miss Kathrina Nay in the fall of I I the same year. In the spring of 1874 he came to Valley county where he has since lived on his beautiful farm on Turtle Creek. His wife died October 28, 1901. ANDERSON, NIELS— is one of the "original five" Danes who settled north of Ord in the spring of 1872. He was born at Arendlev, Denmark, August 12, 1841. In his old country home he spent much time in the Dan- 226 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP the stifling air of Was heaped by the winds in dunes in the tall, dead grass of former seasons. Was it surprising that men should despair then? Fod- der for stock could not be procured locally. Those who had none laid by from the pittance of past years were obliged to sell their stock or almost give it away. The market was glutted with lean cattle and hogs so that it shortly fell to a shamefully low figure. Many a farmer slaughtered his old work-horses to help keep a few brood sows alive over winter. Destitu- tion in our central and western counties became great. The legislature ap- propriated $250,000 for seed and food for the sufferers, besides $28,000 re- ceived in private donations. The Loup suffered with the rest of the state, and for the first time in its historv had to accent aid from the outside. And Home of Vincent Kokes, Ord. with Eret's Band in Foreground. yet it is but fair to add that most of those who accepted aid were of the im- provident class who have long ago left the Valley. But the dread summer came to an end at last. A mild, open winter fol- lowed providentially. Much cattle which might otherwise have perished came through the season in fair condition. Then came spring and summer of 1895 and with them an increase in rainfall. Unfortunately many of our people had lost heart and did not dare to risk too large a seeding. Others were too poor to put in much of an acreage. This resulted in a fairly good though limited acreage for the year. It was a season of beginnings — of preparations for greater things to be. The spring of 1896 was auspicious and the sluices of Heaven opened to a grateful earth. Abundant crops sprang from the rested soil and people tried in their joy to forget the nightmare of the past. THE CRITICAL PERIOD IN LOUP VALEEY HISTORY 227 The storms were indeed past. An adverse fate left the Valley- dwellers wiser and better equipped to cope witn the problems of the future. They had passed through a stern school and experience is ever an exacting master. Six years of adversity had taught two important lessons— the value of money and the imperative need of a more intensive system of farming. Both lessons have taken deep root. The future can never again repeat the failures of the past. For the Loup the experimental stage has been safely passed. Our farmers have at last learned how to adapt them- 232 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP with A. L. Castleman at Delafield, Waukesha county, Wis. On March 31, 1853, he was married to Samantha L. Maxon. They have two children — Katie M. and Hettie S. Badger. While living in Wisconsin, Katie married Mr. W. J. Holliday, railroad contractor. Hettie S. married James Vernon, an English gentleman. Dr. Badger graduated March 14, 1871, at the Chi- cago Medical College, the Medical department of the Northwestern Univer- sity, receiving the college and university seals. He practiced medicine in Waukesha, Dodge, Dane and Rock counties, Wis., McHenry county, 111., and Clinton county Iowa. In the spring of 1872, he came to Valley county, Nebr., and located on section 26, town 17; broke 120 acres, took a timber claim and broke forty acres, and planted twenty in trees. He practiced medicine in Valley, Sherman, Howard, Greeley and Taylor counties for nearly eight years, when overwork and failing health compelled him to abandon it. He was appointed by the Governor to register votes of Valley county ; was coroner three terms, justice of peace one term, first county superintendent of public instruction for Valley county, fought through the first public highway, built the first bridge and gave to North Loup its name. The venerable doctor spends his declining years at the comfortable family home in the town he helped to found. BAILEY, DANIEL COOLEY,— the grand old man of the Loup, was born in New York State, October 15, 1820. which makes him now more than 85 years old. He was married April 6, 1845, to Susan E. Dale. They have four children, Mary, George, Harry and Prank. Leaving New York the Bailey family sojourned for some years in Wisconsin and came on west to Nebraska and the Loup in 1872. They came overland by way of Nance county and reached the site of their future home September 3, 1872. Prom the first Mr. Bailey was one of the pillars of the upper colony. When Valley county was ora^nized in 1873 he was elected one of the first board of commissioners and as such performed his duty well. Wnen the Indian scares of 1873 stirred the settlements his cabin became a rallying point; when later needy wayfarers happened up on the north side of the Loup, they could expect a hearty welcome from Grandpa and Grandma Bailey, for their latchstring always swung inward. Now that declining years are be- ginning to set their stamp upon these staunch first-comers they may at any rate have the satisfaction of having lived to see the once virgin valley be- come a part of the great American Commonwealth in riches and in fact. BARKER, THOMAS O.,— one of the first settlers of Mira Valley was Thomas O. Barker. He was born in Almond, Alleghany county, New York, July 24, 1838. In 1856 he moved to Milton, Wsconsin. He celebrated New Year's Day of 1861 by taking Miss Mary A. Needham as a helpmeet. Because of failing health he came to the Loup couniry in June, 1873, taking one of the first homesteads in Mira Valley. Mr. Barker died July 8, 1897. Mrs. Barker and the two oldest sons now farm the homestead. The young- est son is a physician in one of the leading hospitals of London, England. BANCROPT, RUFUS W.— One of the first comers to the Loup and one of the first set of county commissioners, spent his early life in Michigan, BIOGRAPHICAL 233 where he was born in March, 1826. He arrived with his family in Spring- dale early in the spring of 1873 and was for many years a leader in public life. Of his three children Emma C, S. T. and Libbie May, the former married William A. Hobson, August 10, 1873, and as such was the second white woman married in Valley county. Mr. Hobson set up the first blacksmith shop in the upper Loup, first in Springdale and later at Fori Hartsuff where he became the post smith. After a time again he moved his shop to Calamus and then to Ord. He died after a lingering illness, June 13, 1883. leaving a wife and one daughter Cora, behind. BARTZ, FREDERICK— was born in Pomraerania, Germany, Novum ber 4, 1841,. Here he lived till he was about 18 years old when he moved to the vicinity of Berlin. When 28 years old he married Miss Augusta kSchoning. Hearing of the possibilities of this country through his broth- er-in-law, Mr. Otto Schoning, they came to the U. S. in the fall of 1877 and settled in Valley county about six miles north of North Loup. Here they have lived since. BEE, N.— is a native of West Virginia in which state he was born in 1837. He moved to Minnesota in 1805 where he lived for twelve years. In 1877 he moved to Vailey county and settled on a farm near North Loup. Mr. Bee has followed farming principally as an occupation although he did spend four years as a merchant in North Loup. BENSON, DANIEL— Mr. Daniel Benson was born in Steuben county, New York, October 31, 1839. When he was twelve years oid his parents moved to Lake county, Illinois. Here he grew to manhood and on August 2, 1862. enlisted in Co. G. 96th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served till June 11, 1865. On December 26 of the same year he took unto himself as a wife a Miss Shotswell. They came to Platte county, Nebraska, in 1869, only to remove to the Loup country and homestead in Greeley county in 1873. Here they resided till Feb. 2, 1899, when Mr. Benson died. Mrs. Benson bought her present home in North Loup in 1903 and has since made this her home. BOETTGER, CONRAD— was born near the city of Cassel in Germany in 1841 where he lived the first 24 years of his life. Then coining to Ameri- ca he spent several years in New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland. In 1869 he arrived at Wautoma, Wisconsin, and in the winter of the year he married a Miss Hannah Nickell. In the spring of 1874 they came to Mira Valley and on May 9 homesteaded their present home farm. Mr. Boettger is one of Mira Valley's prominent farmers and is very much interested in horticulture. BURDICK, AMOS R.— was born April 27, 1827, in Scott, Courtland county, N. Y. Here he grew to manhood and on August 27, 1852, married a Miss Martha Spencer. Immediately they went to Waupaca county, Wis- consin, where they resided till shortly before the Civil War when they moved to Milton, Wisconsin. In 1861 Mr. Burdick enlisted in the 13th Wisconsin Infantry, Co. B., and for four long years he served as a soldier of the federal government. In the spring of 1872 they homesteaded in 238 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP FLYNN, MARILLA — The first white woman in Valley county was Marilla Frederick who came here with her father in July 1872. She was at that time a young lady of about 15 years of age. In 1877 she went to Omaha where she met a young soldier named Flynn who was stationed at Ft. Omaha. He was soon afterwards transferred to Ft. Laramie, Wyom- ing, where they were married the following year, in July, 1885, they re- turned to Valley county where they lived on various rented farms till Mr. Flynn's death, April 18, 1895. In 1900 Mrs. Flynn bought her present farm just cornering on her father's old homestead in Springdale. FREY, CHRISTIAN — was one of the "original five" in the Danish colony above Ord. He was of course a native of Denmark and came to the United States in 1871, hoping here to better himself financially. We have already told how he reached Valley county and about his first exciting adventure here. He remained a bachelor on his claim for a number of years, when he returned to Denmark where he met and married an esti- mable Danish lady, who returned with him from a home of affluence to share his frontier life. Five chldren have been born to them of whom four — Mary, Kate, Ericka and James — are living. Mr. Frey remained on his old homestead through all the years of beginnings and hardships and has succeeded in laying by a goodly bit of properly for a rainy day. A few months ago he disposed of his old homestead, returning to old Denmark with the intention of spending the rest of his days there. But the call from over the ocean blue was too strong for him and he is again back in the Loup where he will no doubt be content to remain for the rest of his days. GOODENOW, M. B— "It is something to be able to say that for a whole season I was the outermost settler on the Loup. No man dwelt be- tween my claim and the Black Hills." This boast could truly be given by Mellville B. Goodenow in the summer of '72. Then he was our outpost. But that has been 1old elsewhere. He was born in New York state in 1844 and was brought up by his grandparents as his mother died when he was born. In '61 when only 17, he enlisted and served through the Civil War. Be was mustered out in the spring of '66 and then moved to Woodbury county, Iowa, remaining there till 1872 when he set out across country for the Loup. He married a Miss Coffin in 1869 and has four children — one son and three daughters. GREEN, H. I. — was born in Walworth county, Wis., in 1859. When he was but four years old his parents moved to Minnesota. In the fall of 1877 he moved to the town of Calamus just south of Fort Hartsuff. Dur- ing the next spring he moved to his present farm about two and one half miles northwest of North Loup. Mr. Green has always been a farmer and a glance at his place will be enough to convince any one that he has been successful in this line. He held the office of county supervisor in 1901-1902 but has held no other public office. He was married in 1883 to Miss Em- ma Brace. GREEN, JOSEPH A.— a native of the Green Mountain State, was BIOGRAPHICAL 239 born in 1832. When but a child his parents moved to Berlin. New York, where he stayed till 1853. During the next few years he traveled through New Jersey, Illinois and Kansas, stopping at varions places in these states but never making his home at any place for any length of years. In 1872 Mr. Green came to Valley county and settled one and one-half miles south of North JLoup and has lived there ever since. He at one time owned forty acres of the original townsite of North Loup. Mr. Green is a farmer by occupation yet his ability as a mechanic came in handy in the early years when all sorts of machinery was scarce. GREEN, W. B. — was one of those natives of New York state who has spent most of his years in this western country. He was born in Alleghany county, New York, March 25, 1849. "When but five years old he moved to Milton, Wis. Here he spent his time as a farmer until 1873 when he came to Nebraska and took up a clnim on the very place on which he now resides, about live miles southwest from North Loup. Mr. Green worked on Fort Hartsuff during the summer of 1875. He 4y i ,; v was married in 1877. In 1878 he was with Albert _^J^^f|T^^^ Cottrell in that terrible October prairie fire in which Mr. Cottrell was burned to death. ■ B Even to this day Mr. Green bears scars that re- mind him of that awful disaster.' GREEN, W. L. — is a native of New York, who was born in Jefferson county in 1833. In 1855 he was married and started toward the west. Only one year was spent in Illinois while the next eight were spent in Wisconsin. In 1804 they moved to Minnesota which place remained their home until they came to Nebraska and settled in Valley county in 1877. Mr. Green has always been a farmer and has worked his farm which lies two and one- half miles north of North Loup until about eight years ago, when he moved to town where he has lived ever since. HARRISON, W. H. — has, by his sterling qualities, shown himself worthy of carrying the name of a former president of the United States. He was born in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1853. Here he lived for six years when he moved Lo Missouri where he lived till after the Civil War. At this time he moved to Kansas and finally in 1874 to Nebraska and settled on the place where he now lives, about nine miles southwest from Ord. HASKELL, S. S.— Sylvester Smith Haskell, the father of early Ord, was born December 7, 1822, at Stockholm, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., where his early life was spent. His father was a w. H. Harrison. millwright, and living in the pine region the son naturally enough became a sawyer, which trade he followed many years. 1 236 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP CRANDALL, ALPHA M. was born in Milton, Wis., December 11, 1852. When 14 years of age his parents moved to Illinois where he was raised as a farmer. Late in October, 1878, he came to Valley county and homesteaded six miles from North Loup. On May 25, 1882, he married a Miss Rood. Then for ten years they lived on their farm. In 1892 they moved to North Loup where they still live. CRANDALL, MAXON— one of North Loup's oldest inhabitants was born in Alleerhany county, N. Y. away back in 1827. He was brought up and received his schooling there. For many years he followed the profes- sion of a mechanic. He was early married to Elizabeth Lily, by whom he has had six children, three of whom are living. When he took up the westward march it was to halt for some time in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and finally in 1879, to move to Nebraska. Here he has farmed and in vari- ous ways made an honest living. He is now retired at the ripe age of 78. DAVIS, A. J. — Though not of the first immigration to Valley county, another .early settler is Mr. A. J. Davis of North Loup. He was born in Salem county, West Virginia, December 21, 1829. When but a boy of nine his parents moved to Ft. Jefferson, Ohio, where Mr. Davis gained his majority. Soon afterwards he went to Peoria, 111. Later he removed to Welton, Iowa. Here he met a Miss Esther S. Worth whom he married on October 25, 1857. In May, 1874 these people moved to North Loup and here Mrs. Davis passed away November 22, 1893. Mr. Davis has carried the mail ever since the railroad came to North Loup. DAVIS, HENRY S.— was born in 1844 in Louis county, N .Y. At the age of twelve he came to Walworth county, Wisconsin, and grew to man- hood there. He was a member of the 22nd Wisconsin Regiment and served actively for three years. After the Civil War he moved to Minnesota where he pursued farming for twelve years. He came to North Loup in 1877 and took a homestead three-quarters of a mile from town. Later he was proprietor of the Union Hotel of North Loup for three years. Since that time he has been at different times liveryman, farmer, etc. September 28, 1867, he was married to Abbie F. Greene. They are the parents of six children. DAVIS, NEWTON— was born in Ohio in 1834. When but ten years old his parents moved to Rock county, Wis., where he lived for nearly twenty years. In 1861 he married a Miss Clement and after two years took up his home in Minneseota. In 1868 they turned their faces towards the west and after spending six years in Iowa finally landed in this Eldorado of the West, the great North Loup Valley. Their home was now on a farm about eight miles south of North Loup. In 1891 they came to North Loup where Mr. Davis died in June 1903, his sorrowing wife surviving him. FLINT, E. R. — was born in Lincolnshire England, in 1850. He was married in 1869. He was a farmer until 1870 when he moved to Sheffield, England. While here he worked for one of those big steel manufacturing companies which make Sheffield [cutlery so famous all over the world to- day. In 1874 he came to the United States and settled in the Loup Valley. BIOGRAPHICAL 237 While here he'worked on Fort Hartsuff. Two years lat«r he moved to Kent county, Michigan, which remained his home till 1888. At that time he re- turned to the Loup Valley. Since 1888 he has lived for five years in Cotes- field and the remainder of the time on Davis Creek and near North Loup. EAST, HENRY T.— was born in London, England, in 1826. Here he followed the occupation of his forefathers, that of a tanner, until 1847 when he came to the United States. He enlisted as a soldier in the Mexican War and was at «the surrender of Mexico City. When discharged he went to Vincennes, Indiana, and en- gaged as a merchant. He married a Miss Presnell in 1853. In February, 1865, he enlisted in Co. K. 149th Indiana Regiment and continued as a soldier till September 27th of the same year. In 1867 he moved to Wisconsin where he stayed for six years. At the end of this time he came to Nebraska and sol tied in Valley county. He worked at the occupation of tanning for a long time. He died in June, 1902, leaving a wife and family behind to mourn his loss. FOGHT, EMIL JOHN,— the father of the author of the Trail of the Loup, was born sixty-four years ago in historic old Fredrickshall, Nor- way, the son of a well-to-do merchant and ship owner. He was educated in the Latin school and nautical school of his native town and at an early dale went to sea. While yet a stripling boy he was made first mate and soon after captain of the schooner Aurora, which sailed chiefly between the Bal- tic and French ports. In the seventies the Aurora was lost on the French const and Captain Foght received command of the large bark Laura, so named after his wife, Laura Arneberg Foght. This vessel was owned chiefly by the Foght family and proved more or less of a hoodoo from the first. To several severe losses caused by storms at sea came the serious competition with swift steamships then just beginning to make inroads on the shipping of the sailships. After a long and hopeless fight against the new carriers he gave up and retired to terra firma. Then after some un- fortunate mercantile ventures at Fredrickshall he came to the United Statos in 1879, making Yankton, Dakota Territory, his home for a few months. Here he took service as a government freighter, going first to Fort Robin- son and later to the newly constructed Fort Niobrara. At the latter place he was joined by his family in the summer of .1881, they having made their journey of 7000 miles from old Norway alone. For a few months the Foghts squatted on a claim near Rosebud Agency but were forced into the fort by the Spotted Tail-Crow Dog uprising. They now left overland for OrJ, where they arrived early in September, 1881. From that time on the family has been associated with Valley county and its development. Of the seven children living, the oldest daughter, Valborg, is married to Jor- gen Miller, and the oldest son, Harold W., who has also penned this book, married Alice Mabel, youngest daughter of A. M. Robbins of Ord. 234 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP 9§x?i •&' Valley county just across the river from the old Stewart place. From 1883 to 1889 these people lived in Rushville, Nebr. They then took up their residence in Plimona, California. Here they resided till in 1903 when on a visit to their daughter, Mrs. Stewart, Mr. Burdick died. His wile still lives in Plimona. BOWER, CHARLEY— Although Charley Bower was born in Baden, Germany, in 1851 it is hardly possible that he remembers very many experiences that took place in the old country for his parents moved to America when he was but six months old. His first home in this land was in Preeport, Illinois, where he resided until he came of age. The next three years of his life were spent in Omaha, after which time he came to the North Loup valley and settled on this present farm in 1874. Mr. Bower has always been a successful farmer and stock raiser. CHASE, HENRY A.— was born in Jefferson county N. Y., in 1837. He received the rudiments of his education here and when eighteen years of age moved to Wisconsin. Here he completed his education at Albion Academy. He enlisted in the Union Army and served till Aug- ust '65. His war record is a very honorable one. He was seriously wounded in the explosion and suc- ceeding disastrous charge before Petersburg. Later he was present at Lee's surrender at Appomattox. At the close of the war he returned to Wisconsin; thence he moved to Minnesota and later to Mis- souri, where he dwelt thirteen years. In 1859 he married Delia Babcock, a sister of Oscar and Heman A. Babcock. He has one daughter, Nellie E. Black. The family came to North Loup in 1879, when Mr. Chq.se bought one quarter of the section on which North Loup is located. Mr. Chase has been a lifelong Republican, casting his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. He has been a member of the county board off and on for twelve years and a member of the North Loup school board for more than twenty years. CHRISTIAN, PETER— is probably one of the best known men from the neighborhood of Arcadia. He was born in Denmark May 18, 1848. In 1867 he came to Wisconsin where he lived as a farmer till 1874. He then moved to Indiana from which place, after a three years' stay, he a ue to this valley. At first he bought some railroad land at $1.25 per acre and in 1880, being well pleased with the country, be took up his claim about three miles north from Arcadia. In 1884 he purchased his present farm near town. COLLINS, W. G.— was born in Alleghany county, New York, in 1845. In 1863 he moved to Wisconsin where he lived for nine years, engaged as a farmer. In 1872 he came to Valley county and settled on the same farm en which he now resides. Mr. Collins is one of the best known and mo.^t BIOGRAPHICAL 235 highly respected citizens of this valley. While a member of the first mil- itia organized in this county, he was called out three times on account of Indian scares but never came into any active engagement. His daughter, who was born January 30, 1873, bears the distinction of being the very first white child born in Valley county. COLBY, H. M.— was born in the state of Maine in February, 1836. When 17 years old he came to Wisconsin, which state remained his home till 1876. On July 24, 1861, he was married and nine days afterwards enlisted in Co. I., 2nd Wisconsin Infantry. From this time on to the time of his discharge he never received a furlough and never saw his bride. In February of the following year Mr. Green re-enlisted in Co. E, 9th Illinois Cavalry and served eight months. Dur- ing his life as a soldier he fought in many of the most important battles of the war, including 2nd Bull Run, Antietam, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, siege of Petersburg and several others. After the war he returned to Wisconsin where he lived till September, 1876, when he came to Greeley county, Nebraska, and took up a claim about four miles northeast of North Loup. In 1882 he moved to town where he has lived ever since. COOMBS, MINGERSON— is a native of Knox county, Me., and when 13 years of age moved with his parents to LaPorte county, Ind., where he worked on a farm until of age. He then opened a store in New Carlisle, Ind. His next move was to Berrien county, Mich., where he bought a fruit farm, and four years later, in 1873, sold out and came to Valley county. He located a homestead and a tree claim, and has probably accomplished what no other man in the United States has, to- wit, taking a timber claim under the original timber culture act, which required the actual planting and cultivation of forty acres of timber. This he successfully accomplished and now has one of the finest bodies of timber in the state, many of the trees being two feet in diameter. He still owns both quarter sections, with 230 acres under a high state of cultivation, besides 67 acres adjacent to Ord with 50 acres under cultivation. Mr. Coombs has been a prominent factor in Ord having held many positions of trust and honor. He has cred- itably filled the offices of County Commissioner, County Surveyor, County Superintendent of schools and Mayor of the city. He is also a representa- itve business man and one of the most highly respected citizens. COON, J. L. — was born in Alleghany county, New York, in 1840. His parents moved to Wisconsin when he was but a child and this continued his home till 1860. Then he went to Minnesota and lived there as a farmer till 1877 when he came to Nebraska and settled near Fort Hartsuff. In 1893 he went to Oregon but like most of the other folks who move away from the Loup Valley he returned in 1895, He is now engaged in the feed business in Burwell. 240 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP He came of sturdy stock, the Putnams of revolutionary times being among his lineal ancestors. December 5, 1843, he was married to Miss Harriet E. Soper and for a few vears they lived in St. Lawrence county, but in 1849 he removed with his family to DeKalb county, 111 , and filed on a quarter sec- tion of land in that then wild country. He. had a hard struggle here to make ends meet as he came west a poor man. Two years of toil in the saw-mills at Two Rivers, Wis., enabled him to build a comfortable dwelling house on the Illinois claim, but this unfortunately was burned to the ground on the very day of its completion. The set-back was a severe one, but he accepted the situation bravely and clung to the farm in spite of misfortune and hardship, and called it home for twenty five years. During this time he reared his large family and saved a, fair competency with which to build anew in the promising west of which he was continually getting news from his children who had preceded him there. In the fall of 1875 he sold out and moved to Ord. The next summer he erected the first store building on the townsite lately platted by his sons. Old-timers will all remember this general store and hostelry and later postoffice, where every wayfarer received a kindly welcome and shelter. When hard times came to the Valley-dwellers and starvation almost stared them in the face, Haskell fed them till he could no more. His capital exhausted, he was forced to close his doors and failed in business. But by the indomitable energy of self and wife he got on his feet again and could proudly boast of paying his creditors dollar for dollar what he owed. Mr. Haskell has been called the father of Ord. And not without reason, for not alone did he build and operate the first store here, not alone is a large section of the town built on his early farm, but he was a father to all in need. Nor was any early timer more public spirited than he. Charity and public enterprise de- pended on him for aid and co-operation. When he was laid to rest March 1, 1901, just 78 years, 2 months and 21 days old, the whole community mourned the loss of a father and friend. In Ord the business houses were closed and the deceased was accorded a public funeral such as had never before been known in the history of the Valley. His many children have all taken their part in making the history of the Loup. Of these the sons, O. S. Haskell, O. C. Haskell and W. W. Haskell, platted the original town- site of Ord; the daughters, Cynthia C. Robbins, Rose I. Williams and Mary E. Jones and the son, A. R. Haskell, were all old pioneers and have grown up with the Valley and seen it become what it is — a garden spot in our state. HONNOLD, R. T.— Richard Truman Honnold was born in Coshocton, county, Ohio, September 12, 1851, and removed with his parents to Marion county, Iowa, late in 1862. In 1874 he was married to Miss Eceneth Mc- Michael and immediately loaded his possessions into a covered wagon and started for Nebraska. He lingered at St. Paul and put in a few acres of wheat there, meanwhile looking about in search of a good place to home- stead. He finally located in Mira Valley where he yet resides. Mr. Hon- nold is one of those pioneers who has gone through the hardships incident BIOGRAPHICAL 241 to grasshoppers, fire, hail and drought, and still stands up for Nebraska. He had many exciting experiences with the Indians in those days; from the first, indeed, he has been closely identified with the history of his county. Note: — Since the writing of the above biography Mr. Honnold moved to Ord where be was stricken with Brighfs disease, death resulting Monday, April 23. JOHNSON, BYRON H.— is another of those very early settlers of this Valley who has always been interested in its development and closely connected with its history. He was born in Rhode Island in 1847 but lived there only one year. His parents moved to "Wisconsin in 1848 and it was here he grew to maturity. In 1866 he went to Minnesota where he lived for five years. In 1871 he made a trip to Valley county, Nebraska, in order to see the country which was destined to be his future home. He returned to Minnesota to get The Byron Johnson Family. things in shape and then moved to this valley in November, 1872, and settled on a claim about six miles north of North Loup. In 1878 he bought his present farm just one and one half miles north of town. Mr. Johnson was a member of the first militia organ- ized in this county. He helped to build Port Hartsuff during the grass- hopper years. He held the office of supervisor several terms but beyond this has taken but slight interest in active politics. He married a Miss Stewart in 1880. KEOWN, W. B. — Bedford Keown's name is closely associated with the settlement of Valley county. He was born in Ohio county, Kentucky, in 1849, and came with his parents to Missouri when but a babe. The Keowns remained in that state till 1874 when they arrived in Valley county. Here Mr. Keown secured the quarter first filed on by one of the Post boys, which later on became the townsite of Elyria. He remained on this fine tract of land till he sold it to the B. & M. railroad company in 1887. Then he moved with his family to Ord and engaged in business. He has been prominent as a hardware man and has been engaged in the drug business and other enterprises. Several times has he been honored with places of trust and profit by his fellow-citizens. The last of these was the county treasurership which he held for two terms. At the present Mr. and Mrs. Keown are beautifully situated on their fine farm two miles above Ord and across the river. They have three children living — Anna Williams, John, and Emma Mayo. LUEDTKE, AUGUST — is a successful German farmer who, born in a foreign land, came to this country to better his condition. He was born in Pommerania, Germany, in February, 1841. Here he lived till 1866 when he came to the United States and settled in Wisconsin and afterward spent a few years in Kansas and Texas. In April, 1873, he came to Nebraska and worked between Omaha and Wood River. He came to Valley county 242 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP in the spring of the following year with Mr. Prank Ohms and a trapper named Murphy and settled on his present farm about five miles northwest from Arcadia. KRUSER, MARTIN— Mr. Martin Kruser was born in Kolding, Den- mark, in 1853. Here he lived and received his education, In 1872 he came to the United States and for three years made his home with the grand- parents of Mr. M. Goodenow. In April, 1878, he came to Valley county, Nebraska. For eight years he then worked for Mr. Goodenow. In 1880 he h'omesteaded his present farm though it was some six years before he made his permanent home upon it. Mr. Kruser is a single man. LEE, JAMES — Perhaps no one in the southwestern part of Valley county is better known than Mr. James Lee who was the first settler in the Park which now bears his name. He was born in Ontario, Canada, April 28, 1847, where he lived till 1874 when he came to Valley county, Nebraska, and took up his claim in that section of the Valley called Lee's Park. Mr. Lee has always been a farmer, though he worked for two years on Port Hartsuff during the grasshopper years. LUKE, JOHN— is a native of the state of Connecticut but while quite young moved to New York city. He lived there till he was seventeen years old, when he joined the army as a drummer boy. In April, 1875, he came to Port Hartsuff with Co. A, 23d U. S. Infantry, commanded by Capt. John J. Coppinger. In October, 1876, after having served eight years in the United States army he was honorably discharged and at once settled down in Valley county to make it his home. He was married to a Miss Stewart, November 9, 1876. Mr. Luke has long been known as a lumberman. Until recently Mr. Luke has had charge of one of Ord's rural routes. MATTLEY, MRS. E. J.— Although Mrs. E. J. Mattley was born in England yet most of her life has been spent in this country. When but four years old she came to Iowa and after staying there for five years moved to Missouri. While here she met Mr. Mattley whom she married in 1875. In 1877 they moved to Nebraska and settled on the farm on which she now resides. Mr. Mattley died in November, 1903, but as his wife was a busi- ness woman, the farm has been operated successfully nevertheless. MOLLER, PALLE — who was one of the members of the Danish colony which settled above Ord during the spring and summer of 1872, is a native of Denmark, coming from a small village near Haderslev in Slesvig. He comes of good old Danish stock, well-to-do land-owners who have ever bit- terly resented the encroachment on Danish soil by the German coalition. After the Dano-German War of '64, so disastrous to little Denmark, the Mollers concluded to leave their homeland and seek a new home in Amer- ica. Accordingly, in 1872, the family, comprising the parents and four children, Marie, Elizabeth, Jorgen and" Laura, set out for the United States. BIOGRAPHICAL 243 Jorgen Moller. and, as told in another chapter of this book, reached Valley county and settled on their old homestead on lower Turtle Creek. During the early years Falle Holler's substantial log house was an asylum for wayfarers in the Valley. The log cabin door always swung inward for needy immigrants. When Indians were threatening the Loup Mr. Moller was ever ready for the front. On several occasions in those days did settlers flock thither when rumors of Indian raids filled the air. The Danish colonists have practically all remained true to their early re- ligious teachings in the Lutheran faith, and in the seventies no more beautiful picture could be im- agined than to see these sturdy northerners, who had outstripped both their church and pastors, assemble on a Sunday for church services. On such occasions Falle Moller would usually conduct the Danish service of song and sermon reading in a manner worthy a well tutored preacher. Down through the years Mr. Moller and his son Jorgen have accumulated much worldly goods, comprising chiefly farm and ranch lands and cattle. F^lle Moller may justly lay claim to being one of the most travelled men in our Valley, having crossed the Atlantic thirteen times within the last thirty-five years. MURRAY, WILLIAM P.— was born in Dundee, Scotland, in 1839. Until he was 13 years old he changed his residence several times back and forth between his native land and Ireland. When he reached this age he came to the United States and settled in Westchester county, N. Y. Here he lived till 1861 when he moved to Oswego county. The next few years he spent as a rambler, visiting nearly every part of the country. In 1878 he came to Nebraska and settled on the place where he now resides, about six miles west from Arcadia. Before coming to Nebraska Mr. Murray was a stonemason and quarryman but since he has been a farmer. NELSON, HENRY W. — located with his parents in Omaha in 1862, where he lived with them for twelve years. He learned to be pressman in the Omaha Bee office, and in 1874 he came to Valley county, Neb., and lo- cated a homestead and timber claim containing 320 acres, seven miles south of Ord on Section 10, Town 18, Range 15. He was born in Sweden, March 5, 1852, and came to America with his parents in 1862. He was married in Ord, August 3, 1879, to Miss Lura Abel, a native of Ohio. He was a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F. of Ord. He has been county surveyor of Valley county for five years; edited the Valley County Courier one and a half years, be- ginning in 1878. At the present Mr. Nelson is located at Billings, Mon- tana. OHMS, FRANK— bears the distinction of being the first settler in Custer county. He was born in Prussia, Germany, in February, 1844. Here he lived till he was twenty-five years old when he came to the United States and settled in Jefferson county, Wis. While in the old country his 244 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP D. Pierce. work was varied. Three years were spent with a confectioner, another three years were spent in a large depot restaurant, while three more were spent in the army. He was engaged in the war between Germany and Austria in 1866. He fought in the battle of Sadowa. He received his dis- charge in 1868. The next year he came to this country. He stayed in Wisconsin only one year and then went to Douglas county, Nebraska. Here he farmed for four years when he came to his present home on the Valley county line. PIERCE, DWIGHT— and family left their old Wisconsin home in the spring of 1878 and set out for the Loup Valley with a whole carload of household goods, implements, W' KS horses and cattle. "In Grand Island," says Mr. Pierce, "we stored our goods and set out to seek a home. The farther up the Valley we came the better we liked the country. At the Big Bend of the Loup lay Byron Johnson's home- stead. Tnis just suited me and I purchased the land." Mr. Pierce died Jan. 22, '06, after a short illness. POST, CHARLES W.— is the only member of Post clan now dwelling in the North Loup Valley, frontiersmen that they were, moved westward and ever westward, till the Pacific now forbids a further migration. Charles was born December 3, 1847, on the frontier of Michigan. When he was five years old his parents began to drift westward by easy stages. Thus he saw life in Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas and Missouri. When the Civil War broke out the Posts found it expedient to leave the state and move back to Jasper, Iowa, their old home. He enlisted in '64 when only 16 years old and saw much service before the war was over. The Posts next spent some years in Har- rison county, Iowa, and in the spring of '72 they set out for the North Loup Valley, carrying with them horses, cattle and all other belongings. They came via the Beaver and Cedar and entered the Loup near Cotesfield. Charles filed upon the northeast quarter of section 26-20-15, the townsite of the present Elyria. Later he filed on a pre-emption and secured a school quarter on which he made his eventual home. In June, 1881, he married Marie, the eldest daughter of Palle Moller. He is the father of three chil- dren, Willie, Palle and Magdalene. Charles Post came to the Valley in time to participate in all early hardships and disappointments but has out- ridden them all and is now beginning to spend his older days in partial re- tirement. POTTER, HARVEY— was born in La Salle, 111., on December 18, 1846. When but a small boy his folks moved to Minnesota. Within the next few Mrs. D. Pierce. the once numerous The others like the BIOGRAPHICAL 245 years his home was changed to Lexington, Kansas, Jasper county, Iowa, and finally in May, 1873, to Valley county, Nebraska, where he has resided ever since. Mr. Potter is one of the oldest settlers in Valley county and as such has been interested in the growth and development of the Loup Valley. He was married in July, 1882. PEENTICE, WILLIAM A.— was born in Dakota. Wis., in July, 1851. Here he lived till Junp, 1873, when he came to Valley county and took up a claim in Mira Valley. He was married in 1872. In 1881 he came to North Loup and began to work as a carpenter. He took a course of study in law and was admitted to the bar in 1891. Mr. Prentice was a justice of the peace for several years but outside of this has had no political aspirations. ROOD, CHARLES P.— now long passed to his reward, is one of the early North Loupers who de- serves more than passing mention in a history of the Loup Valley. He should have much credit for the part he played in the settlement of North Loup by w. A. Prentice. the Wisconsin colony. He was a member of both committees and but for his determined stand and flattering reports of the land, the enterprise might have been altogether abandoned. He was born in Vermont. May 30, 1823, and after a brief sojourn in Canada moved with his people to Cataraugas county, N. Y., where he grew up and married Marianne Thorngate. The family moved to Milwaukee and later to Wau- shara county and became a part of the Seventh-Day colony there. The large family of nine children born to him have practically all taken active and leading part in the development of the Loup and most of them live in or near North Loup today. Mr. Rood lived for some time on Section 32, Town 18, Range 13; but homesteaded over in Mira Valley somewhat later. He was a public-spirited man, strong in his convictions of what was right. He was quite a lay preacher and really the head of the Good Templar move- ment in North Loup. He died March 17, 1878. ROOD, CHARLES J.— is one of the older sons of Charles P. Rood, and was born in Waushara county, Wisconsin, July 4, 1851, where he boasts being the first white child born in his particular township. He grew to manhood in Wisconsin and was given what was then considered a pretty good education. He too was one of the second locating committee to come to the Loup. In 1872 he homesteaded just outside of North Loup. He spent much time as a teacher in those days, and as such had the honor of being the first to teach school in the village of Ord. For some years he farmed on Davis Creek but moved to North Loup in 1895 to give his chil- dren the advantage of the better schools in that town. In 1875 he was married to Rosa P. Furrow. They are the parents of ten children. ROOD, W. H.— beheld the beautiful Loup in 1871, when he came here as one of the second committee from Wisconsin. From the first he was satisfied with the country and determined to make it his home. This he 246 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP did in the spring of 1872 when he came as one of the Seventh-Day Baptist Colony. Mr. Rood was born in Rock county, Wisconsin, in 1840. He enlisted in Co. G, 37th Wisconsin Infantry, in 1864 and served till August, 1865. Although he was in active service his regiment never took part in any serious engagements. At North Loup Mr Rood farmed for a number of years. Later he engaged w. H. Rood. in mercantile pursuits and was Mrs. w. h. Rood. for years proprietor of the North Loup hotel. At present he is a carpenter and builder. In 1880 he married a Miss Pierce. He was a member of the militia company organized for protection against the Indians in 1873 and has held every township office in his home township. SCHONING, OTTO— Another of Germany's sons is Otto Schoning who was born in Plathe, Pommerania, Germany, September 23, 1841. His early life was spent on a farm. He served two and one-half years as a state regular, but soon after getting his discharge he was recalled because of the war with Austria in 1860. Six months later he was discharged. Upon hearing rumors of a threatened Franco-Prussian war he left for the United States, landing at Baltimore in September, 1868. Securing work in Wisconsin he remained there till 1872 when he came to Valley county and homesteaded his present farm, four and one-half miles from North Loup. May 7, 1878, he married Miss Amelia Brown. They have a beauti- ful farm. SHELDON, JOHN — was the first of the North Loup colony to choose land in Valley county ; this he did when he located his claim three miles southeast of North Loup, November 6, 1871. Prom that day to the present he has been a loyal trailer. Mr. Sheldon was born in Germany, August 31, 1848, and came to America when only five years old. He was one of the early Seventh-Day Baptist locating committee and together with the Roods and Mansell Davis made the long trip from Wisconsin and back in 1871. The next spring he moved onto his farm, remaining there seven years. After leaving the farm he lived for a few years in Scotia; then he moved to North Loup where he still resides. He has spent his time vari- ously on the farm, as a proprietor of livery barns, in the mercantile busi- ness, and as a real estate dealer. He married Mary Brown of Wisconsin and is the father of four sons and daughters. SMITH, A. J. — is another of those natives of New York state who came west to better their condition. In 1874 he came to Iowa where he was married the following year. In 1879 the Smith family moved to Nebraska and settled in Valley county. The first seven years of their Nebraska ex- perience was spent on a farm near the place where Mr. and Mrs. Melville BIOGRAPHICAL 247 Goodenow now live. In 1SS6 they moved to Ord, making the county seat their permanent home. SNOW, CYRUS A.— was born in Alleghany county, New York, April 23, 1847. When he was only six years of age his parents came to Union Mills, Erie county, Pennsylvania, and ten years later they moved to a farm near Centreville, Michigan. In the fall of 1H77 he came to Valley county and worked on the historic Mortensen place for two years. He then tim- ber-claimed his present farm southwest of Ord. In July, 1H79, he married Miss Ella M. Jackson. STACY, SAMUEL AUSTIN— was born in Hocking county, Ohio, in 1851. His parents early set their faces westward and moved to Clark county, Iowa, where Samuel grew to manhood and received a common school education. July 1, 1874. he left Sloan, Iowa, on horseback and after twenty-six strenuous days arrived in Valley county, where his sister Mrs. A. T. Morris had preceded him. That summer was spent in visiting, hunt- ing and in general enjoyment. He did not, how- ever, make this his home till February 20, 1877, when he filed on a homestead in Mira Valley. After building a humble dugout on the claim he went to Aurora, Nebr., for his bride, Alice E. Likes. This was October 25, 1877. After getting a few essentials for housekeeping, the young couple had just $6.10 with which to start out in life. But Mr. Stacy was not cut out for a farmer. He moved to Ord and clerked for a time in Doc. Harter's new store. Tnen he worked for B. C. White and later became a member of the firm Stacy, Johnson & Co., gen- eral merchandise. He has at various times been engaged as a real estate dealer and in the meat market business. He has also held office as town treasurer of Ord township. When Co. B, 2nd Regiment N. N. G., was organized, Mr. Stacy was made Second Lieutenant. Later he was raised to the rank of First Lieutenant, Captain, and Adjutant of the 2nd Regi- ment, successively. June 1, 1898, he was made postmaster of Ord; he was reappointed by President Roosevelt, May 28, 1902. THORNGATE, GEORGE— was born in Cataraugas county, New York, in 1834. When but twelve or thirteen years old he removed to Wisconsin in which state he afterward taught school. In May, 1861, he enlisted in Co. E, 5th Wisconsin Infantry. He engaged in the battles of Antietam and Williamsburg. In the latter battle he was wounded in the chin and sent home on sick leave. He was discharged in the spring of 1862. However, he reenlisted later in the 13th Wisconsin Light Artillery which was then stationed at Baton Rouge. He was mustered out in July, 1864. In the fall of the same year he was married to a Miss Crandall and the young couple took up their home in Missouri. The following year, 1878, they came to Valley county and settled at North Loup. Mr. Thorngate died in Decem- ber, 1893, but his wife still survives him. 248 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP TIMMERMAN, LEVI D.— is another of our early settlers who came originally from New York. He was born in Jasper county, that state, July 22, 1849. In 1878 he came to Valley county and being well pleased with the county bought the south eighty acres of his present farm. In August he returned to New York and married Miss Mary Dennis. The following April they came to their new home on the Loup where they have since re- sided. It is interesting to know that for his first eighty acres of land Mr. Timmerman paid but $140.00. He now has one of the finest farms in this county. TRUE, CHANDLER — was born in Clayton county, Iowa, December 1, 1851. Here he lived as a farmer until June 1878, when he moved to Ne- braska and settled on his present farm about four miles west of Arcadia. He was married December 25, 1878, to a Miss Knight and they have eight children living. Mr. True is a successful farmer as a glance at his well- kept farm will show. WEAVER, MARSHAL N.— came to Nebraska in September, 1873, in company with George McAnulty. He settled at the head of the "Big Island," where he trapped and hunted during the winters of '73 and '74. He then returned to his old home in Latiabe, Pennsylvania, where he lives a prosperous man. It is safe to say, however, that he never forgets the beautiful North Loup Valley, the scene of some stormy adventures of his youth. WEBB.. SAMUEL S.— was born in Floyd, New York, in August, 1825. Here he lived till 1857 when he moved to Illinois. Two years later he mar- ried a Miss Davis and in 1861 moved to Wisconsin. Three years later they moved to Minnesota which remained their home till 1877 at which time they came to Nebraska and settled in Valley county. Mr. Webb is essen- tially a farmer, though now retired from active work. At the ripe age of eighty he lives in comfort in his North Loup home, respected and highly honored by all his townsmen. WELLMAN, M. A. — Among the early trailers of the Loup and a man identified with the business interests of North Loup for a number of years was M. A. Wellman. He was born at Windsor, Mass., May 28, 1842. When a child his parents moved to Waushara county, Wisconsin, where he grew to manhood. On May 18, 1866, he married Miss Mary Francisco. Five years later they moved to Greeley county. In 1886 they moved to North Loup and purchased their present home. From that time to his death on May 4, 1899, Mr. Wellman was engaged in the grocery business in North Loup. WHEELER, JOHN S.— was born in Sullivan county, New York, in 1854. Here he lived for twenty-four years, being engaged during the lat- ter part of this time in the printing business. In 1878 he came to Valley county and has lived here ever since. Until 1904 he farmed a place near Geranium but when this was sold he bought a farm near Elyria on which he now resides. WIGENT, D. — was born in Berrien county, Michigan, August 17, 1859. BIOGRAPHICAL 249 Here he lived and attended school till 1877 when his parents came to Val- ley county and homesteaded on Turtle Creek. When Mr. Wigent came of age he took a homestead on the north branch of Turtle Creek. April 22, 1884, he married Miss Agnes Pecas. Three years later they sold out and bought near the present Hillsdale schoolhouse. In 1891 they moved to Barton county, Missouri. Here they lived for ten years when returning to Valley county they purchased the farm in Springdale where they now re- side. WIYGENT, W. H.— One of the early settlers of Springdale was W. H. Wiygent who came to Valley county in 1875. Mr. Wigent was born near Syracuse, New York, July 25, 1843. When he was but a small child his parents moved to Mich- igan where he grew to manhood. In November, 1862. Mr. Wiygent enlisted in the Union Army and served till August, 1865. On December 23, 1866, he married Miss Myra Drake of Van Buren county, Michigan. He helped build the lirst bridge across the Loup river at Ord. Early in 1876 he homesteaded his place in Springdale, where he has since made his home. WRIGHT, CHAUNCEY— was born on a New William Wiygent. York farm in 1813. Here he lived till 1874 when he came to Nebraska and took up a claim about three miles south of Ord. Mr. Wright was married to a Miss Standish in 1837 and to them five chil- dren were born. One of them, a daughter, married a Mr. Chaffee in I860 and settled in Wisconsin. Mr. Chaffee enlisted in the fall of 1864 and served for one year. After being discharged from the army he returned to Wisconsin where he died in 1877. Mrs. Chaffee now came to Nebraska to live with her parents who soon afterwards moved to North Loup, where she has lived ever since. Garfield County. ABBOTT, WILLIAM— has followed the "star of empire" in its course toward the west. He was born in Alberg, Vt., in 1844. When but a baby his parents moved to Clinton county, New York, and it was from here that Mr. Abbott moved to New Jersey in 1S66 and began to work his way west- ward. After a short stay in New Jersey he moved to Pawpaw, 111. In 1869 he came to Iowa and after living there for nine years moved to this valley and settled near Burwell. He farms a piece of land in Jones' Canyon. BARR, JAMES — comes of good Scotch parentage, having been born at Glasgow, in April, 1845. The Barrs left old Scotland in 1850 and imme- diately came to Chicago. His father was a stone-mason and contractor as well as bridge builder. The elder Barr thus had charge of constructing all the masonry on the old Galena and Chicago Union Railroad and put in the 250 THE TRAIL OP THE LOUP masonry on one of the first bridges to span the Mississippi. After attend- ing school at Belvidere, Illinois, "Jim" entered the army at the early age of sixteen. He became a member of the famous Scotch regiment under Colonel Stewart, which marched more miles, fought in more battles and suffered greater losses than almost any other regiment east or west. Mr. Barr's army history reads like a romance and would fill books to narrate. How he surrendered to "Stonewall" Jackson at Harper's Ferry, scouted in eastern Kentucky or saved the life of the rebel colonel, or how he se- verely wounded was brought in contact with the young woman — Esther Ann Tilden — whom he later married, cannot unfortunately be told in this brief sketch. In the early seventies O. S. Haskell arrived with his family in Valley county. Mrs. Haskell being a first cousin of Mrs. Barr had per- haps something to do with inducing the latter and husband to come west. At any rate the Barrs ar- rived in the Valley in 1874. For a year or so Mr. Barr worked for the gov- ernment at Fort Hartsuff. Now and later he was one of the chief govern- ment freighters between Fort Hartsuff and Fort Niobrara. In 1875 he filed on a pre-emption three miles southeast from Burwell, first held by George McAnulty of Scotia. This together with some additional land comprises the comfortable Barr farm of today. The author has had the privilege to read some of the numerous letters which have passed between Mr. Barr and men high in army and governmental affairs, and from it he feels free to state that had Mr. Barr been so inclined he might today have been in high office. But he was content to be a plain Scotchman. He has always taken active part in politics and could have held important offices had he wished. Thus he refused the nomination of representative from his dis- trict. As commissioner of Wheeler county just before its division, he drafted the petition for the organization of Garfield county and suggested the name which it came to bear. BARKER, F. A. — was born in Alleghany county, N. Y., in April, 1848. When but a boy of five years of age he moved with his parents to Wisconsin. Here he received his early education and grew to manhood. In July, 1873, he came to Nebraska and homesteaded in Valley county. In 1891 he moved to Louisiana where he lived till 1897. He then returned to Nebraska and settled in Burwell. At present Mr. Barker is engaged in the bakery business. DEAFENBAUGH, J. A.— first saw the light of day in Tuscaroras county, Ohio, on July 4,* 1846. Evidently he was pleased with the celebra- tion for here he spent the first 29 years of his life. However, in 1875 he decided to cast his lot in Illinois, only to move again April, 1878, to Gar- field county, Nebraska. Here he took a homestead in the Loup Valley about three miles from where Burwell now is. In the winter of the follow- ing year he took unto himself a wife in the person of Miss Rose M. Schreier BIOGRAPHICAL 251 of Illinois. In 1903 they sold their old homestead and moved to their pres- ent farm. Mr. Deafenbaugh is an energetic farmer and has a beautiful place. DRAVER, WILLIAM — comes from a country from which we receive many of our most reliable citizens. He was born April 13, 1810, on the Isle of Westray off the coast of Scotland. Here he received his education and remained till the age of twenty-eight. In 1861 he was married to Miss Ann Randal. His parents coming to the United States, he came with them and they all located in West county, Iowa, remaining there five years. Mr. Draver is one of the earliest settlers of Garfield county, coming here in 1873. He still lives on the old homestead. When one learns that he and his children now own about twenty-six hundred acres of land, they are tempted to forget the early privations endured by Mr. Draver's family — poverty, drought, and sickness— all met with true Scotch fortitude which must characterize one who overcomes. FREELAND, TRUMAN— "was born in Rock Island county, Illinois, on February 22, 1852. His parents were among the pioneers of northern Illinois. Mr. Freeland assisted in the construction of the first bridge thrown over the waters of the Platte in the state of Nebraska. He acted as lead chainman in the original survey of what is now Custer and Loup counties. He built the first actual settler's residence (a dugout) construct- ed in the valley of the North Loup river above Haskell Creek; and his nearest neighbor on the river valley was then twenty miles away. He was the second settler of what is now Garfield county (Mr. C. H. Jones having preceded him a few days.) He carried the first United States mail brought into what is now Garfield county. He cut and hewed the logs for the first school house built in the county, and on his pre-emption was broken the first sod turned in Garfield county. He built the first frame residence in the county constructed of lumber shipped from the East, and hauled the lumber from Grand Island, a distance of nearly eighty miles. Mr. Freeland is an author of no mean ability, his writings having appeared in some of the leading publica- tions of Nebraska and other states. He is also the author of a volume of poems soon to appear in print. He is decidedly a man of peace and never took any prominent part in the various conflicts with Indians in the early settlement of his neighborhood nor did he ever lose anything by them, ex- cept once when they stole his coat while he was felling a tree a few rods away. Mr. Freeland was married in 1874 to Miss Jane Russell of Rock Island county, Illinois. Mrs. Freeland taught the first school held in what is now Garfield and Wheeler counties. Mr. and Mrs. Freeland are the old- est residents now residing within the boundaries of Garfield count.y and have witnessed all the changing conditions from the days when the buffalo, elk, deer and antelope roamed over the prairies and woodlands to the time 252 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP when all these have passed away and given place to modern civilization." GROSS. ALEXANDER — is a native of Poland in which state he was born in 1855. He lived here 18 years and then sailed to New York. He went from one place to another for the first three years after coming to this country. In 1875 he arrived in Hall county and the next year moved up the valley to Valley county. He lived here till 1901 when he bought a farm in Garfield county only a short distance from Burwell. Mr. Gross is a suc- cessful farmer. HEMMETT, TOM— was born in Niagara county, New York, March 9, 1850. While yet a lad of five years he removed with his parents to Pelican county, Michigan, where he grew to manhood. In the early '70's a num- ber of neighbors had moved out west and several had reached the Loup. The western fever seized young Hemmett and we soon find him making his way thither too. Early in 1875 he arrived on the North Loup and filed a pre-emption in the timber on Jones' Canyon, just above the claim of his old Michigan neighbor, C. H. Jones. He later took a homestead in the valley, a place which has devel- oped into one of the most productive and beautiful farms in this part of the state. Mr. Hemmett early became identified with Loup history. He played his part in the early Indian skirmishes and took quite a part in the county seat drama. He has for years been actively engaged in politics. When Wheeler county was divided in 1884 he was clerk of the county, but as his interests were in the new Garfield county he resigned his office. In 1904 he was elected clerk of Garfield couuty, serving three consecutive terms. After a brief interregnum he was again elected to the office, this time as a Populist. Mr; Hemmett has lived through more actual history than most men in his county. JOHNS, W. C. — one of the citizens to whom we point with pride is a native of Green county, Wisconsin, born there forty-two years ago. In 1878, he came with his parents to what is now Garfield county. His early manhood was uneventful, being spent chiefly in receiving a good education in the public schools of Wisconsin and Nebraska. In 1892 Mr. Johns was married to Miss Anna Beauchamp of Port Hartsuff, Nebraska. He was for some time a teacher and also a farmer and rancher. He is half owner of the grocery of Johns & Mitchell. The people have shown their appreciation of him by electing him to be sheriff of Wheeler county before the organization of Garfield county, as county superintendent and county treasurer. He is now serving his second term in that capacity. He is a Republican. MESSENGER, H. A.— was born in Wisconsin in 1858 He lived here until May, 1874, when he started toward Nebraska with ox teams. He ar- rived in Garfield county about two months later and took up his home just north of Burwell at the place where he yet resides. He is a farmer by oc- BIOGRAPHICAL 253 cupatiun and has spent his whole life in following this kind of work. He is one of Garfield county's oldest settlers and has been closely connected with its history throughout all its stages of growth. He was a member of the old militia of which R. P. Alger was captain. ROBKE, FREDERICK — has surely had a varied experience. He was born in Germany in 1^34 where he lived until twenty-four years old. As a young man he spent four years of his life as a soldier, taking active part in the early war be- tween Prussia and Bavaria. His occupation while in the old country was that of a wagon maker, which work he followed for a number of years after he had come to the United States. In 1868 he arrived in the land of his adoption and located his home in Chicago. In 1870 he made a trip to Colorado but returned to Chicago six months later. In 1S73 he moved to Nebraska and settled on his present home about three and one-half miles from Burwell. Since coming to this Valley he has been a farmer. SMITH. MRS. M.— is another of those sturdy people who though born in a foreign land came to this country and made themselves a home. She was born in Scotland and came to Iowa in 1858. Here she lived till 1873 when she moved to Nebraska and settled in Garfield county. In 1871 she married a farmer by the name of Smith. In 1884 they moved into Rurwell and have run a boarding house ever since. Mr. Smith died in 1891 but his wife has .shown her ability as a business woman by continuing the business in a very successful way. WEBSTER, PRANK A. —Among the early "Trailers of the Loup" who have since moved to other communities none is more worthy of men- tion than Frank A. Webster. Mr. Webster was born in Crawford. Pennsyl- vania, in April, 1852. When but three years old he moved with his parents to Adams county, Wis. Here he grew to manhood and learned the printer's trade. In April, 1873, he carrte to Omaha and accepted a position with the Omaha Bee. Here he remained only till the following fall when he came to the Loup Valley. Later western Burwell was platted on a part of his old homestead. For several years Mr. Webster was engaged in newspaper work in central Nebraska; among these papers was the Howard County Advocate. In 1878 he married Miss Ella M. Bowen. The Websters moved to Rathdrum, Idaho, several years ago where they still make their home. WOODS, WILLIAM — has come a long way to find this garden spot on the Loup River. He was born in Surrey county, England, November 28, 1833. However, being attracted by the greater possibilities in a new coun- try he came to Canada on May 6, 1857, and located about fourteen miles west of Toronto. Mr. Woods then moved to the United States in 1H56. He has since lived in several different states, New York, Wisconsin Iowa and Nebraska among others. In 1865 he enlisted in the Union Army and served till the end of the war. Mr Woods came to Garfield county in 1874 where 254 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP with the exception of a couple of years he has since resided. In 1878 he homesteaded the farm on which he now lives. Greeley County. BEEBE, Dr. J. B. — One of the most prominent figures on the Loup river from '71 to '77 was "Doc" Beebe. He came to the North Loup VaJley in' 1871 and for years "Beebe's Ranch" was one of the best known places in the Valley. His wife and charming daughter Susie were notable pio- neer women. In 1890 Mr. Beebe went to Oregon where he died a few years later. BILYEU, J. W.— was born September 20, 1841, in Clinton county, 111. When twelve years of age his parents moved to Bond county. Iowa, where Mr. Bilyeu grew to manhood. On August 12, 1862, he enlisted as a private in the 130th Illinois Infantry. He was present at the siege of Vicksburg. Upon his discharge in August, 1865, be returned to Bond county. On March 22, 1866, he married Miss E.O. Pile of Bond county. In the fall of 1877 he came to the Loup country and homesteaded near Scotia. In 1904 he purchased property in Scotia where he has since lived. FARELL, GEORGE— was born in Columbus, Indian, January 10, 1857. In 1870 his parents moved to Caldwell county, Missouri, only to re- move to Howard county, Nebraska, the following year, having filed on their homestead the previous year. Though only a boy he and a friend went up near Kent and squatted on some land there. However, being forced off his land in 1874 he returned home and in 1877 homesteaded his present farm. The same year he married Miss Emma Bixby. In the fall of 1882 they moved to Scotia only to return to the farm four years later. DAVIS, MANSELL — One of the very first settlers in Greeley county was Mansell Davis. He was born in Jamestown, New York, in 1848 and resided there till 1867, when he moved to Dakota, Wisconsin. While in New York he was engaged in mercantile pursuits. His western life has, however, been that of farmer. When in 1871 the Dakota Seventb-Day Baptists commenced casting about for new homes Mr. Davis became a member of the second or voluntary committee to explore the west. Thus he came to the Loup and became one of: the first six to file on claims in Greeley County. In those early days Mr. Davis took quite an active part in pol- itics. Thus he was the first surveyor of Greeley county, and later served in the capacity of county superintendent and county supervisor. At the present time he lives on his fine farm three miles southeast of North Loup. FISH, ALCIE P.— The man who has the distinction of being the first settler in Greeley county was Mr. Alcie P. Fish. He was born February 18, 1822, near Brockport, New York. When he was 12 years old his father died and he was compelled to shift for himself. In March, 1843, he married Esther E. Williams near the Niagara Falls. In 1848 they moved to Loraine county, Ohio, where their son Elihu B. Fish was born. Elihu is BIOGRAPHICAL * 255 the only survivor of four children. In 1850 Mr. A. P. Pish came to Pon du Lac county. Wis. In 1861 he enlisted in the First Wisconsin Cavalry where he served till his discharge in November, 1864. In October, 1871, he came bo Greeley and pre-empted. His son followed the next spring and homesteaded one mile north of his present residence. Mr. Alcie P. Fish was one of the first county commissioners. Indeed, the first election was held in his house. His son was first county clerk of Greeley county. In the fall of 1879 the younger Pish married Miss Julia McMillan. The father moved to Scotia in 1887 and died three years later. GARDNER, ANDREW— was born in Buffalo, N. Y., in 1849. When but a child he moved to Green Bay, Wis., where he lived till 1861. At this time he changed his residence to Pond du Lac, Wis., where he lived until he came to Nebraska in 1878. Mr. Gardner has always been a farmer, al- though in early days he used to spend the winter trapping. He worked on his farm about eight miles southeast of Scotia until 1904 when he retired from active labor and moved to town. GILLESPIE, A. J. — Andrew J. Gillespie, Sr., the grand old patri- arch of the Loup, filled his hundredth year June 4, 1905. He is still re- markably hale and hearty for a man of his years. This wonderful good health he ascribes to the thirty four years he has lived in Nebraska "where people stay young longer than anywhere else on earth." Mr. Gillespie's name has lone been associated with the North Loup Valley to which he came early in 1871. He first settled near Elba where he operated quite a ranch. His herd of cattle was the first to fatten on the grasses of the Loup. He also took the first contract to carry the United States mail up the North Loup valley, the route being fully seventy miles long. Often he drove the stage in person but never did his passengers dream that the man who guid- ed his team with such skill over the difficult route had long filled his three score and ten. Mr. Gillespie was born in Kentucky, June 4, 1805, near the place where Abraham Lincoln first saw light four years later. Like Lin- coln he spent his early manhood in Illinois, where he married Temper- ance Lee Bankston. daughter of Colonel Bankston, a life-long friend and comrade of Lincoln. Thirteen children were born to them, of whom twelve reached middle age. In 1836 the family moved to Iowa where they remained for many years. In 1871, at an age when most men are preparing to spend their declining years in peace, he sold his home near Dubuque and came to Nebraska. He became a great hunter and soon attracted the atten- tion of leading plainsmen, who have ever held him in the highest esteem. At the age of seventy-five he is known to have killed deer at a distance of more than three hundred yards. The centenarian is tall and supple, show- ing: in his carriage but slight indications of the burden of a hundred years of active life. His long line of descendants inherit his fine physique and remarkable stamina. Thus his seventh son, Joe, won the trying horse race of many hundred miles from Chadron, Nebr. , to Chicago, when already past middle life. He has a remarkable lot of descendants living — numbering in all 172 souls. Of these nine are his own children, seventy-seven are . , , *) * • m % m -- ^/h ■ \. ( * 256 - THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP grand-children, eighty great grand-children, and six great great grand- children. At a grand public celebration held at Scotia in honor of his hun- dredth birthday, in the neighborhood of a hundred decendants assmbled to do the old man honor, and eight hundred guests were lunched and drank to his health and many happy years yet to come. GRIFFITH, COL. B. F. — was born in Monroe county, New York, in 1845. When but five years old his parents moved to Pennsylvania which became his home. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Co. H, 105th Pennsylvania Infan- try and as a member of that regiment he fought through four long years. He certainly did his part in this great rebellion, having fought in many of the greatest battles of the war, Fair Oaks, Seven Pines, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredricks- burg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness and Gettysburg. In the last named of these battles he was severely wounded in no less than three places and afterwards spent sixteen months in the hospital. After having been discharged he returned to Pennsylvania where he lived till 1878 when he moved to this valley. Mr. Griffith is a lawyer, having been admitted to the bar in 1882. He has twice been elected county attorney of Greeley. county. His home is in Scotia. HILLMAN. REV. GEORGE— came to the North Loup Valley in April 1872, and settled in Greeley county. On May 10, 1872, he preached a ser- mon in the house of John Vanskike. Captain Munson sent an armed es- cort to guard the congregation from Indians. The first Methodist church ever organized in the Loup Valley was organized at the Hillman home, also the first Sabbath school. The first general election was held in his home on October 8, 1872 at which time he was elected county judge, being of course the first judge of Greeley county. Rev. Hillman was born in Banwell, Somersetshire, England, September 17, 1829; came to America in 1848; lived in Iowa until 1872 when he came to Nebraska. He was married to Miss Hannah Jenkins in 1853. Rev. Hillman and his good wife are now living near Scotia. They are in good heatlh and still enjoy living. Mr. Hillman still preaches occasionally. The old settlers hold them in love and esteem, remembering the long years of right living this good couple have spent here in the North Loup Valley. KELLOGG, JOHNG. — the minnesinger of the Loup, was born in Lake county, Illinois, January 15, 1846, where he grew to manhood and got all the schooling he ever had. Here he farmed and composed rhymes. When twenty-three years old he set his face westward and came to Platte county, Nebraska. Here he lingered till August, 1871, when in company with Shepard, Scott and Stewart, pioneers spoken of elswhere, he set out for the North Loud Valley. On the 7th day of September he selected his claim in Greeley county, lying above present-day Scotia. Mr. Kellogg was one of the organizers of Greeley county and became its first county super- 1*~*3^- >*,ir + .+. ,4 V-^ ? ! it <■';*& GO **>*• CD CD 5' •JQ 5' CD CD Q > c 1Q />:■*- d*W o i 1HH '■■ Mi* /#•. **&'*■ " ■•■'- } BIOGRAPHICAL 257 intendeut. On January 30, 1879, he married Belle Scott, one of the earliest women to come into the Loup, who is more than usually conversant with all topics pertaining to early frontier life. They have five children living. McANULTY, GEORGE W.— was bom at Latrobe, Pennsylvania, in 1853. He lost both of his parents at an early age. his father losing his life in his country's defense during the Civil War, and his mother dying within the same year. At the age of eighteen he went to Texas and for the first time saw the great West. After some time spent in the Lone Star state he went to Illinois and thence back to Pennsylvania. But he had gotten his taste for the plains. Accordingly he came back and arrived in Nebraska and the North Loup Valley ,in 1873. He settled on the James Barr farm near Burwell. When Port Hartsuff was established helped to build some of the structures there. Later he enlisted in Captain Munson's company — Co. C, 9th U. S. Infantry — which was ordered into active service a few days after his enlistment. The company joined the rest of the 9ch Regiment at Port Laramie, Wyoming Territory. The Great Sioux War was on and the boys were on the frontier. Mr. McAnulty was with Gen- eral Crook in the terrible campaign of 1876, and returned with his company to Port Hartsuff two years later and was there discharged. He married Miss Lillie Moore in March, 1880, and settled near Ord. In 1882 he moved to Scotia where he has since resided. He has three children, two sons, Pred and John, and one daughter, Louise. Mr. McAnulty is a believer in the North Loup Valley. Never, even during the darkest years, has his faith in it faltered. MOORE, DAVID — one of the early settlers of Greeley county was born in Ohio in 1827. He came of good Quaker stock. His early life was spent in Indiana and Illinois. As a boy he knew Lincoln and often heard him address a jury in the old court house at Delavan, 111. Later his parents set- tled in eastern Iowa, near Wyoming. Here he met and married Louise Standish in 1848. He served throughout the Civil War in Co. K, 24th Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He was with his regiment in some of the hard- est fought battles of the war. He came to Nebraska June, 1873, and settled in Greeley county taking as a homestead the northeast quarter of section 10-17-12, one mile east of Scotia where he resided for twenty years. In 1893 he moved to Scotia. He was most public spirited and untiring in his efforts to build up this part of the state. He was admitted to the bar in 1881 and practiced law for some years. In early days his home was noted for its generous hospitality and for many years David Moore was known as the friend of the settler. He died November 25, 1904, at his home in Scotia. His wife and three children survived him. His oldest son Horace Moore died June 23, 1905. Those still living are Dr. Mila S. Moore of Taylor, Nebr., and Mrs. George McAnulty of Scotia. NURTON, E. A. — of Scotia is a much travelled man. He was born in Dubuque county, Iowa, February 19, 1856, and here he spent the first twenty-one years of his life. In September 1, 1877, he and his father bought one and one-half sections of railroad land five miles from Scotia. In 258 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP the fall he returned to Iowa and the next year worked his father's farm. However, in the fall of 1878 he returned to his land in Nebraska. In 1879 he again went back to Iowa and worked for nine months for his uncle. Then again he returned to Greeley county. On February 6, 1883, he mar- ried Miss Emma L. Woodward of Dubuque, Iowa. In 1886 he moved to Ord only to leave in 1888. The next year however he sold his farm property and moved to Scotia where he lives at present. PRIDEMORE, JEREMIAH— was born in Lawrence county, Indiana, April 24, 1833. When but a child his parents moved to Clay county, Illi- nois, where he grew to manhood. In March, 1859, he married Miss Sarah File of Bond county, Iowa. In 1861 he enlisted as a private in the 48th Illinois Infantry. He saw much active service and engaged in the battles of Ft. Donalson, Shiloh. Vicksburg, Chattanooga and Atlanta. After his discharge in September, 1864, he returned to Bond county, Iowa, where he lived till he came to Greeley count}' in 1877. He still lives on his old home- stead. SAUTER, GEORGE C— was born at Wittenberg, Germany, and came to America when but three years old. His Barents spent some time at De- troit and Chicago, but later removed to Indiana where the boy grew to manhood. He came to Fish Creek in Greeley county in 1877 and home- steaded there. He married Anna Brandt of Indiana. Of his children none are living. The Sauters remained on the farm till 1893 when they moved to Scotia where they are now nicely located. SOOTT, WILLIAM— Two of the first among early settlers in Greeley county were William Scott and his son, L. E. Scott. William Scott was born in Fairfield county, Conn., July 22, 1823. As he grew to manhood he learned the carpenter trade. He was married September 6, 1849. His eldest and at present only living son, L. C. Scott, was born in October of the next year. In 1855 the Scotts came to Freeport, Iowa, only to return ten years later to (Connecticut. In 1866 they moved toRosendale. Fon- Jdu Lac county, Wisconsin. In the spring of 1872 L. E. Scott moved on to Greeley county and was followed by his father in the fall of the same year. STEWART, ALZA M.— The first settler in Valley county was AlzaM. Stewart who came to this county in August, 1871. Mr. Stewart was born in Binghampton, New York, May 27, 1843. When a small child his par- ents moved to Waukegan, 111., where he lived till 1869. During this time he served for three years in the army. In April, 1869, he came to Platte county, Nebraska, where he lived till he came to Valley county. In Jan- uary, 1872, he took out papers homesteading the first farm in Valley county. In 1874 he moved to his timber claim adjoining his homestead but being in Greeley county. On July 4, 1874, he married Miss Mamie Burdick. WALLACE, VIOLA— The first white woman in Greeley county was BIOGRAPHICAL 259 Mrs. Viola Wallace, wife" 61' James L. Wallace. She arrived with her hus- band in December. 1871. They settled on the creek which today bears their name, "Wallace Creek." A brother of Mrs. Wallace, George Wal- lace, came with them, taking an adjoining claim. Mrs. Wallace was a lady of education and refinement, born and educated in the southern city of Norfolk, Virginia. Mrs. Wallace was a brave little woman and bore the o-reat change from the luxurious home in the city to a settler's cabin on the extreme frontier with wonderful fortitude. Mrs. Wallace (now Mrs. Thomas Grandberry) lives at Long Pine, Nebr. SHEPARD, ALONZO— is one of the first four settlers of the North Loup Valley. He was born in Canton, Mass., in 1836. When but six years old his parents moved to Illinois where he lived till 1867. At this time he decided to come to Nebraska and after spending six months in Omaha finally took up a pre-emption claim in Platte county. In the fall of 1871 he came to this valley and took a homestead in Greeley county whither he moved with his family in April, 1872. Mr. Shepard was married in 18G6 and to the couple but one child was born. Mr. Shepard was a member of the first militia but was never engaged in any fights against the Indians. VANSKIKE SETTLEMENT— No history of the North Loup Valley would be complete witnout mention of the Vanskike settlement. Three brothers, John, James and Jefferson, with their brother-in-law, Joe Con- way, came to the valley in the spring of 1872. They settled in Howard county, just below the Greeley county line. They were all typical pio- neers. They cheerfully bore their part in the early years and made many friends. Their homes were noted for hospitality. WEEKES, WILLIAM BYRON— grain and live stock dealer, Scotia, Greeley county, was born in Illinois near the city of Cairo, November 5, 1859. He is of English ancestry, and his father, Thomas Weekes, was a soldier in both the Mexican and the Civil Wars, was mortally wounded at Hartsville. Tennessee, December 1, 1862, and was taken prisoner by the Confederates, and soon after died in Libby prison. The mother of Mr. Weekes was in maidenhood Elizabeth Lindridge. After the death of her husband she cared for her children the best she could, and gave them the advantage of a common school education. Before he was sixteen years old, with an elder brother, Charles Weekes, William came to Nebraska and set- tled upon a homestead in Greeley county. This was in the fall of 1875, and since then Greeley county has been his permanent home. He was success- ful as a farmer and a stock grower, and for some years has been as success- ful as a dealer in stock and grain. In the quarter of a century that he has resided in Greeley county, he has seen the country about him converted into rich farms, and railroads and towns built up. He has carved his own fortune by industriously working, and is in independent circumstances. In 260 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP the matter of politics he has always been a Republican. From 1886 to 1890 he served as treasurer of Greeley county, and in 1891 was one of the Board of County Supervisors. He is a Mason of the Royal Arch degree and is also a member of the Woodmen and the Tribe of Ben Hur. He is a member of ; the Methodist Episcopal church. He was married June 12, 1881, to Nora A. Whitehead, and has six children — Charles W., now a physician in Scotia, Edwin and Edgar, twins, Chester, Cecil and Edith Weekes. Loup County. BROMWICH, URIAH— Mr. Uriah Bromwich was born in Chicago, 111., in 1853. Upon tne death of his father six months later, his mother went to Canada, soon however to return to Chicago. She next spent sev- eral years in southern Wisconsin, landing in Minnesota in 1858. Here Mr. Bromwich grew to manhood. He married Miss Elnora Fay in 1876. In October of 1878 he came to Loup county and pre-empted. He then home- steaded just across the line in Custer county in 1880. From Mr. Brom- wich 's home one has a fine view of the Loup Valley for miles. CLARK, WILLIAM A. — is a native of Pennsylvania, where he was born in May, 1854. He spent the first twenty-five years of his life in Juni- ata and LaSalle counties of that state, though he has lived the rest of his life in Nebraska. In 1879 he took up a claim in Loup county about five miles west of Taylor where he still lives. In 1898 he went to Burwell and spent two years in the implement business there, but he sold out at the end of that time and returned to his Loup county home. He was elected to the office of county treasurer of Loup county in the fall of 1903. COPP, CALVIN L. — was born in Tiogo county, Pennsylvania, in 1848. He left the old Quaker state when eight years old, and saw life in Missouri and Iowa before he came to Nebraska in 1869. He married Elizabeth Rob- Iyer of York county and came to Loup county in 1879. He has spent twenty-five years near Almeria and Moulton farming and is now cozily homed in Taylor. Mr. Copp has yet large landed interests in the county. He has been a lifelong Republican, though he has never been actively en- gaged in politics. Mr. Copp never grows weary telling of the strenuous days when he had to haul whole loads of cedar posts to Grand Island to ex- change for a sack of flour and a plug of tobacco. CROUGHELL, THOMAS— was born in Hartford county, Connecticut, in December, 1854. Here he lived until 1878 when he moved to Nebraska and settled in Loup county, about two miles west from Taylor. While in Connecticut he worked in a cotton factory where all kinds of cotton fabrics were made. But since coming to Nebraska he has successfully devoted his time to farming and stockraising. FAY, STEPHEN — is one of the many men who believe in the future of the Loup county sand-hills. He was born in Wisconsin, near Fon du Lac, in 1863, though raised in Vivian county, Minnesota. He farmed in BIOGRAPHICAL 261 Freeborn county, Minnesota, many years. In 1879 he came to Loup county and settled two miles south of Taylor. He was a young man then and to make a way for himself had to become a "cowpuncher" on the Snake River range. He married Rosetta Caldwell in 1884 and has four children. At present he owns 400 acres of pasture and hay lands north of Taylor where he keeps his herd of cattle. GARD DAVID A.— was born in Morris county, N. J., and at the age of 18 years was employed" in a store at Dover. At the breaking out of the war he was the first in the city to enlist. He was a member of Company B Second Regiment, N. J. Vol. Infantry, and was attached to Gen. Phil. Kearney's famous Jersey Brigade, and participated in all its battles from first Bull Run to the fall of Petersburg. He received five wounds, and was left on the field at South Mountain, being badly wounded while charging a battery. He was captured May 6, 1864, in the Wilderness and, with six of his comrades, made his escape the following day. He was married in 1866 and removed to Iowa, where he worked at the carpenter's trade for seven years In 1876 he moved to Grand Island, Neb., and one year later, to a homestead in the unorganized territory now known as Loup county, then 100 miles from the nearest railroad. He was mainly instrumental m organ- izing the county and was its first clerk. He was one of the most successful homestead farmers of that region. On account of poor health caused by injuries received in the army, he abandoned farming, and m 1*89 removed to Ord, and for four years conducted the Transit House. In 1894 he was elected mayor of Ord on the anti-license ticket. For some years Mr Gard has been one of the chief promoters of the American Order of Protection, a very flourishing fraternal insurance order. At the present he resides in Lincoln. . _ . . -r, nnr . HENRY G S.— first saw the light of day in Lycoming county, Penn- sylvania, on 'the 17th day of April, 1873. He came with his parents to Adair county, Iowa, at the age of four and lived there until his removal to Loup county, Nebraska, in February, 1884. Mr. Henry's education has been received in the schools at Cromwell and Fontanelle, Iowa, and of Loup county, Nebraska. His marriage to Miss Myrtle B. Messersmith occurred May 26, 1904. He is serving his first term as county clerk of Loup county, being elected to that office by his chosen party, the Republican. HOOPER HENRY-is surely a man of varied experiences. He was born in Ohio in 1843. Here he lived until 1867 when he moved to Illinois. He staved here for about four years as a farmer when he moved to Ne- braska, where he spent the next few years of his life as a hunter and trap- per He finally found his way to Loup county where he took to farming Mr' Hooper saw considerable service in the U. S. army during the Civil War. He enlisted in July, 1862, in Co. F, 90th Ohio Volunteers. He served for three years, being mustered out in July, 1865. He engaged in the battles of Prairieville, Stone River, Chickamaaga, and was severely wounded in the battle of Kennesaw Mountain. ROBLYER, JACOB— was born in Pennsylvania in 184b. He went to 262 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP Iowa in 1867 whence he moved to eastern Nebraska three years later. In 1879 he moved up the Loup Valley to his present home two miles southeast from Almeria. He was married in 1872 and has lived the life of a farmer ever since. Mr. Roblyer enlisted in Co. C, 171st Pennsylvania Volunteers in 1861, and after serving two years was mustered out in July, 1863. In 1864 he re-enlisted in the 1st New York Light Artillery, from which he was given an honorable discharge in July, 1865. STEPHENS, WILLI AM— was "born near Rockford, 111., in 1849. When but five years old his parents moved to LaSalle county where he lived until 1878. At this time he moved to Loup county, Nebraska, and settled on the farm that he now works. He was married in the spring of 1888. Mr. Stephens has gone through many experiences in this valley, some of which were very unpleasant. He has seen the blizzards and hailstorms of early years, to say nothing of his experiences with Doc. Middleton's gang of horsethieves. WILLIAMS, T. W. — Among the earliest of Loup county's pioneers was Mr. T. W. Williams, who like some others, had come a long way to find his present home. He was born in Wales, February 7, 1841. When but a lad of 13 years, he came to the old historic Schuylkill county, Penn- sylvania. Here he grew to manhood and, on March 29, 1862, he married Miss Mary Lewis of Pottsville, Penn. In the summer of 1865 they came to Missouri and for nine years lived in Mason county. They then came to York county. The following year they went to Hamilton county, arriving in Loup county in 1876. Here they homesteaded their present farm. They have had The T. w. Williams Family, thirteen children, seven of which are now living. WOODS, L. W. — was born in Farmington, Iowa, in 1859. When but four years of age his parents moved to Missouri where he remained until 1875. At this time he moved to Nebraska and settled in Burt county. He came to this valley in 1877 and took up his home in Custer county, border- ing on the Loup county line. He has lived in this place ever since as a tiller of the soil. ^ ..M t The Men and Women Who are Making the History of the Loup Valley. CHAPTER XXI. In this section the Trail of the Loup is rounded off and completed. Former chapters have told the story of the first-comers, of those who blazed the trail. Their work is practically at an end. The energy and en- terprise of a later generation is even riow transforming the pioneer hamlet and village into the modern city. Embryo cities are indeed springing up in the Loup Valley. Their ultimate growth and importance will depend to a marked extent on the ability and enterprise of the men who are building them. We have been fortunate in this respect. The business men of Loup, Garfield, Valley and Greeley counties are, upon the whole, self-made men who have kept in touch with the world and its progress, who, indeed, have ever kept in the vanguard of its progress. The following pages tell the life-stories of a majority of the men and firms which are making our history today : Ord. BAILEY BROTHERS.— In course of years many of our prosperous farmers have turned their attention to breeding high grade cattle, and feeding these for the top market. One of the most successful firms of this kind in the Loup Valley is Bailey Brothers, whose fine stock-farm lies across the river and in' sight of Ord. The Bailey brothers—Harry and Geor ge— are sons of Daniel Cooley Bailey, one of the fathers of the Valley. The brothers were both born in New York state in the early 50's and moved with their parents to Wisconsin in 1855. In the summer of 1872 the Baileys arrived in Springdale from Wisconsin. The next spring they moved onto the excellent farmsteads which they have done so much to improve down through' the years. The brothers are expert farmers and stock raisers. Of late years— indeed beginning in 1890— they have taken to raising pure blooded shorthorn cattle. Their idea is that it is just as cheap to raise high grade cattle as scrubs, and on the market they are shure to bring better prices. Indeed it is a very ordinary matter for this 264 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP firm to sell their sleek, corn-fed steers on the Omaha or Chicago markets and get the very top prices for them. BARNES & McGREW— Charlie Barnes is one of the old-timers in Ord. Indeed he has been in the barber business here since 1884, thus laying a just claim to being the oldest established barber in the county. With him is associated the popular young barber, Clayton E. McGrew, who learned his trade from Mr. Barnes years ago when the latter operated his shop in the old Hotel D'America. The firm is located on the north side of the pub- lic square, where it owns its own building. Absolute proficiency has built up for the firm a large and evergrowing patronage. BOTTS, HOMER— was born in Iowa in 1873. He learned his trade of carpentry, in his home state and when he came to Ord in 1897, it did not take him long to make a reputation as a builder and contractor. Fine buildings constructed by him in Ord and Burwell attest to his unusual skill in his chosen profession. BARTUNEK BROTHERS & NELSON— is the title of one of the new- est firms to open business in Ord. Anton and Paul Bartunek had carried on a prosperous business at Walbach where they catered to a satisfied pubilc for seven years. Prior to this Anton had worked in the largest business house in St. Paul and there gained invaluable experience. The Bartuneks are Bohemi- ans by birth. Their early and commercial education was procured in the old homeland, which they left in 1883. Gus H. Nelson, the third member of the firm, is a Scandinavian by birth and was formerly en- gaged in the general merchandise business at Anton Bartunek Greeley Center. The firm is located in the fine new Misko block on the north side of the public square. Here they have a store room 24x80 feet large, well stored with general merchandise. Fine drygoods and shoes are one of their specialties. They are now doing a $40,000 business and face a bright future indeed. BLESSING, ALVIN, — who has lately resigned his position as county clerk of Valley county to accept the position of assistant cashier in the First National Bank at Ord was born December 11, 1871, at LaGrange, Michigan, from which place he came with his parents to the so-called ''Michigan Settlement" in Valley county, in 1880. He has taught school and farmed, making a success of both. Four years ago he entered politics and was elected county clerk on the Republican ticket. Mr. Blessing is quite a landowner and has lately completed one of the most comfortable and com- modious homes in Ord. CAPRON, JOE H., — the Ord real estate dealer, may justly lay claim to being one of the old timers. His early history told in the chapter on village organization, needs no repetition here. From quartermaster's clerk at Ft. Hartsuff he became editor of the Valley county Journal, which he continued to publish till July, 1887, when he sold the paper to C. C, BIOGRAPHICAL 265 Wolf. It is as a dealer in real estate, rental and abstract work that Mr. Capron has made a name for himself. During his long residence he has become acquainted with every part of the Loup Valley, its people, pro- ducts, prices, etc., and as such is now in position to give immigrants and investors the benefit of his intimate knowledge. Mr. Capron, who has become a man of means, is just completing one of the finest residences in Ord. BOND, ANGIE R.— the only exclusive milliner in Ord, was- born in Michigan in 1*74. She came with her parents to Valley county in 1877 and spent some years in the so-called Michigan colony in what is now Michigan township. She served her appren- ticeship as a milliner in the employ of Mrs. Lee, an oldtime business woman of Ord. The next ten years she spent in the employ of G. W. Milford and Prank Mallory. When she started in business for herself she had a millinery experience of twelve years. Her first venture was in Cedar Rapids, Nebraska, from whence she came to Ord in 1903. She carries a very excellent stock of goods and is known up and down the Valley for her fair dealing. CLEMENTS, ARTHUR A.— county attorney of Valley county and one of the most successful young attorneys in the Loup Valley, was born March 20, 1H70, in Allegan county, Michigan, when he came to Ord in 1893. Here he became associated with his brothers, E. J. and E. P. Clements, of the law firm of Clements Brothers; first as a student apprentice, later as a partner in the business,. As county attorney he is now in his second term. On January 2H, 1900, he was married to Adelheid Reithardt. They have two children. CORNELL BROS. — No more energetic and enterprising business men can be found anywhere than Cornell Brothers of Ord, dealers in hardware, tinware, stoves, plumbers materials etc. The genesis of their business is indeed interesting. The firm name was originally P. W. Weaver & Co., who used to run a small hardware store in partnership with Hans C. Sor- ensen, at the southeast corner of the square. In November, 1884, this firm was dissolved and P. W. Weaver moved into the old Cheeseborough brick east of the post office where he operated a successful store for many years. Finally ill health forced him to give up business and he was succeeded by Cornell Bros., who came here from Alliance, well schooled in the de- tails of a successful hardware and tinware business. The firm early found their quarters in the Weaver brick too cramped for their growing business and were obliged to move into the much more commodious Perry building west of the postoffice. But even this place of business has proven too small to- accommodate the large stock that the Cornells have found it ex- pedient to carry. Two large warehouses in other parts of the city are now used to store the goods which they usually purchase by the car lot. 266 - THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP In the main store is carried a well chosen stock of builder's materials, carpenter's and machinists' tools, cutlery, stoves and ranges, tin, copper and sheet iron goods in great variety. The work shop turns out all man- ner of tin work, including roofing and cornice work. The construction of pumps and windmills, and general plumbing are also important factors in this complete establishment. It is interesting to know that the volume of business for a single month during the summer of 1904 exceeded $11,000. Last year they purchased the Perry building, and now having added a complete farm machinery line of goods, have put up large warehouses to shelter the goods, ERET, GEORGE C— was born in 1874 at East Saginaw, Mich. His early schooling was procured at Red Cloud, Nebr., where he came as a child. Prom earliest childhood he showed a marked talent for music, receiv- ing his musical education at St. Louis. He is especially fine on the violin and band instruments, having been leader of bands at Shawnee, Okla., Oklahoma City, Curtis, Nebr., and other places. Coming to Ord in 1897, he engaged in the barber business but left this to devote himself entirely to his loved music. He was married in 1899 to Miss Mary Masin, an ac- complished musician. He has been director of the orchestra for three years and of the Ord band since 1904. He deals in pianos and also does piano tuning and regulating. PACKLER & FLETCHER— The firm of Packler & Fletcher, though comparatively new in Ord, is fast making a name for itself through square dealing and correct business methods. Samuel Fackler, the senior mem- ber of the firm, came to Ord in the fall of 1898 and engaged in the grocery business in a small way. He was then located where Mr. Stara's meat mar- ket now is. But the venture prospered from the first and Mr. Fackler had to seek a more commodious store building. This was found in the Wood- bury building on the south side of the square. Mr. E. L. Collin became a member firmof the in 1902; he retired two years later, having sold his share to L. C. Fletcher. The reconstructed firm continued prosperous and again had to seek larger quarters. Accordingly they moved to the large Milford building where they are now located. At the present they are oc- cupying a salesroom one hundred and ten feet in length and one of the most spacious warehouses in the city. Theirs is today the only exclusive grocery in Ord. The annual sales exceed $20,000. FIRKINS, ALONZO J. — is one of our most successful stock breeders. He was born in DeKalb county, Illinois, in 1863, where he grew up and spent his early years, getting well acquainted with all the outs and ins of farm life. In 18^3 he came to Valley county and possessed himself of the famous Cedar Lawn Farm, half a mile from Ord. Here he has occupied his time at farming, stock raising and breeding. While he has spent some time in raising Shropshire sheep and Poland China hogs, he now gives his time principally to raisins: and breeding pureblooded Hereford cattle. His herd at the present numbers some of the finest specimens in America and his stock is sought after by breeders from every part of the United States, BIOGRAPHICAL 267 Mr. Firkins has thus had orders all the way from South Carolina and Vir- ginia. Mr. Firkins has become a man of more than ordinary means during his twenty-two years on the Loup. He owns among other things a large ranch— the Klondike— in Garfield county. He was for years manager of the Ord Hardware Company and has been a member and president of the Ord school board for many years. FIRST NATIONAL BANK— The economic history of any section of our country may be read in the history of its financial institutions. That the Loup Valley has made remarkable progress clown through the years is nowhere more clearly demonstrated than through a study of its banking bouses. Of these the First National Bank of Ord came into existence as a private bank in 1880. It was rechartered as a national bank May 1, 1885, with a capital of $50,000. The organizers were J. H. Bell, D. C. Bell, H. A. Babcock, Wm. C. Wentz, J. C. Post, Geo. A. Percival and P. Mortensen. H. A. Babcock was elected president of the board, but resigned and J. H. Bell was elected in his stead. Mr. Babcock now became vice president, Geo. A Percival, cashier, and P. Mortensen, assistant cashier. In Jan- uary, 1887, Mr. Mortensen was elected president, an office which he yet fills. Mr. Percival resigned his post as cashier in December, 1888, and was succeeded by Fred Bartlett who in turn was followed by W. E. Mitchell. The latter held the responsible trust till May, 1891. His brother E. N. Mitchell released him, retiring in January, 1896, to be succeeded by the present cashier, Everett M. Williams. Other officers are G. W. Mickel- wait, vice-president, and Alvin Blessing, assistant cashier. The First National Bank was founded by men of exceptional financial ability and has from its inception had the confidence of the public. When financial storms came and swept over the country, the First National found no trouble in weathering them all. Much of this success may no doubt be traced to Mr. Mortensen, than whom there is no greater financier in Nebraska today. His rise in the commercial world has been little less than phenomenal. From a dugout on the prairie to office in the state capitol, all in the space of three decades is a record for any man to be proud of, and this is what the presi- dent of the First National has accomplished. The bank has always been conservative in business and yet at all times ready to extend aid and assist in the growth of commerce whenever consistent with safe banking princi- ples. It has indeed been one of the greatest factors in the development of the Loup Valley. The steady growth of this institution can readily be gathered from a comparison of its financial statements published from time to time. Thus in July, 1885, its loans and discounts amounted to $17,55*. 30, while today the same items foot up to $344, 660. 3K ; then the deposits reached $20,000.00, now $302,000.00. GARD, GEORGE R. — Ord's genial dentist, is most decidedly a Loup Valley product, his entire life having been spent among us. He was born September 6, 1879, at Kent, Nebr., a village between Taylor and Burwell, of which his father was one of the founders. Coming to Ord in 1mh7, he entered the public schools, continuing the education begun at Kent. Being 268 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP eager to enter upon his professional life, he did not complete his high school course but, after first serving a brief apprenticeship in the offices of the leading dentists of Ord, matriculated in the Dental Department of the University of Omaha. He continued in school here from 1898 until 1901 when he received the degree of D. D. S. Immediately returning to Ord, he opened offices in the Mortensen block and is still in the same location, hav- ing there a fine suite of four rooms. He does not confine himself to prac- tice in Ord but makes regular trips to Arcadia and North Loud. In April, 1904, he was married to Miss Breezie Parks, a young lady accomplished in business and musical attainments. They have built a most beautiful and convenient residence in the western part of the city. GREGORY. JOHN WILSON— proprietor of the well known Turtle Creek Stock Farm, was born in Marion county, Iowa, in I860. He spent his youth and early manhood on the farm still owned by his father. Here he gained much of the training which later stood him so well in stead as the expert stock-raiser. He procured his early book learning, too, while on the old home farm. Mr. Gregory came to Valley county May 10, 1884, and ever since has been actively engaged in farming and stock-raising. In 1887 he bought the Chris Keller farm on lower Turtle Creek and converted it into a first class stock farm. He has been intimately connected with the hog-raising interests in this part of the state for many years. His special- ty is pure bred swine. Indeed, he is the owner of the oldest herd of re- corded Poland China Swine in Valley county. Mr. Gregory has made quite a name for himself in this field and his stock is everywhere in great demand. Although a busy man, he has found some spare time for politics. He belongs to the People's Independent Party, and is now serving his third term as supervisor from the first district. In 1897 he married Miss Mary Tucker. Mrs. Gregory, who was born in Effingham county, Illinois, came to Nebraska in 1887, aud to Ord two years later. She attended the Ord High School and the Fremont Normal and taught in the Ord schools from 1896 to 1897. The Gregorys have two children — J. W. Jr., and Joseph. GUDMUNDSEN, JUDGE HJALMAR— is a native of Denmark, though coming from a good old Iceland ancestry. He was born at Nysted, Den- mark, May 27, 1860, where he spent the days -of his youth. His early training came from the hand of private tutors who advanced him through the Danish Latin School course. In common with other young countrymen, h« early became anxious to make a way for himself in the promised land — America. Accordingly he sail- ed for Quebec, which he reached in 1878. After spending; a year in Canada he journeyed on to the United States. Five years were now spent in the regular army, U. S. A. Receiving an honorable dis- charge, Mr. Gudmundsen was so fortunate as to re- ceive the superintendency of the Shoshone Indian Training School. This he held till Cleveland's first administration, when BIOGRAPHICAL 269 he resinged to give place to a Democratic appointee. In 1884 he married Miss Katie B. Jensen, of Shoshone. The family came to Ord in lsss and has resided here ever since. Mrs. Gudmundsen died in 1902, leaving sev- en chilrden living. Mr. Gudmundsen has filled various positions of honor during the seventeen years spent in Valley county. He was deputy county clerk under several administrations, and has served both as assessor and treasurer of his township. When the Spanish American War broke out in 1898 he was captain of Co. B, 2nd Reg. N. N. G., and in that capacity marched his company to the front. The company did not however get be- yond Chickamauga. In November, 1903, he was elected county judge, an office which he fills with much credit to himself and his party. HALDEMAN, P. D.— Dr. Frederick D. Haldeman was born October 2, 1859, in Muscatine county, Iowa. He received his early education at West Liberty High School and then matriculated at the Iowa State Univer- sity. From early boyhood had he de- cided upon medicine as his chosen profession. To gain his end he en- ered the office of Dr. W. S Gibbs, at Downy, Iowa. He took his first course of medical lectures at the Medical De- partment of the State University at Iowa City. The remaining two cours- es were taken at Omaha, in the new medical school. Dr. Haldeman grad- uated from this institution March 23, 1882, and had the honor of being the valedictorian of his class. He imme- diately located at Ord and has through the years built up a very large practice. By his profession he has been honored, being in 1*96 elected president of the Nebraska State Medical Society. By his fellow townsmen he is considered one of the most substantial of professional men. Dr. Haldeman was married to Miss Olive A. Newbecker of Ottawa, 111., Jan- uary 14, 1885. Two children were born to them— Irma and Keene— the death of the former resulting after a long sick spell, Dec. 25, 1905. KOKES, JOHN— was born in Bohemia March 16, 1864. He attended school in his native country for some twelve years, two of which were spent in the Bohemian Real School. He came to the United States in 1880 and settled with his parents on a homestead in Michigan township, Valley county. He later moved to the White River country and homestead ed a farm there. After spending some years out west he settled on the sand flats. Here his wife died in 1901. He now entered politics and was elected sheriff. In 1903 he was reelected to this office. JONES, ALTA BELLE— was born February 11, 1877, in Warren county, Illinois. She moved to Missouri in 1879 and received her early ed- 230 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP ucation there. In 1887 she came to Valley county -with her parents. She graduated from the Ord High School in the class of 1893 and immediately commenced teaching. Her experience in this, her chosen field covers three years in the rural schools, five years in the Ord schools and two years in the schools of Colorado. While a busy teacher she has neglected no opportunity for self improvement. Thus she has attended summer school at the University of Nebraska, at Drake University, and at schools in Grand Island and Fremont. She was elected county superintendent on the Republican ticket in 1903. HONNOLD, A. R. — One of the youngest of the successful members of the Ord bar is Arthur Rankin Honnold. His father came to Valley county in 1874 and settled in Mira Valley. Here Arthur was born in 1876. He has thus grown up in and with Valley county. His early ed ucation was gotten in the rural schools and the Ord High School, from which latter institution he. grad- uated in 1898. After completing a course in the Grand Island Business College he was appointed state accountant of the Insane Hospital at Lincoln. Two years later he entered the law department of the University of Nebraska, graduating with the law ckihs oi lyu4. run same year he was associated in law practice with Victor O, Johnson at Ord. October 1, 1904, Mr. Johnson retired from the firm, moving to Oklahoma. This left Mr. Honnold in sole possession. He has been very successful. As an evidence of this he has purchased the exten- sive law library of the late Judge Chas. A. Munn. Aside from his legal practice Mr. Honnold deals in real estate and writes insurance. KOUPAL & BARSTOW — It is safe to say that of the many firms doing business in our Valley, none have been more successful along legitimate lines than has Koupal & Barstow Lumber Company. Frank Koupal, who manages the local yard, is practically a Valley county product so far as his business career is concerned. Though born in Bohemia — January 29, 1805 — his education was practically all procured in the country of his adoption. He appeared before the public first as a trusted employee in the Jaques Grain Company and in politics as county clerk between 1898 and 1900. William T. Barstow, who now resides at Lincoln, is a New Englander and came to Ord in the early '80's. He clerked in the old B. C. White store for a while; but his unusual ability was soon recognized by CM. Jaques, the grain dealer, who first took him into his employ and later into partnership. The Koupal & Brastow Lumber Company is incorpo- rated with a captal of $50,000 and owns and operates yards at Ord, Greeley Center, Sargent and Ericson. It carries in stock enormous quantities of building materials of all kinds and is through its accurate and business.like methods rapidly attaining an enviable position among the leading lumber firms of the state. MISKO, FRANK— was born in Bohemia in 1853. He came from very BIOGRAPHICAL 271 good ancestry there. His parents sent him to school at an early age and later apprenticed him in the harness business. Thus time passed till he was twenty years old. He now spent three years in the Austrian Army. He came to the United States in his early manhood and first sought a ca- reer in the great northwest. Thus he alternately followed his profession and farmed in Minnesota, North Dakota and Iowa. He married Miss Mary Ray man while in Minnesota. Of this union six children were born, of whom four are living. Mr. Misko and family arrived at Ordin 1882. Here he immediately launched in the harness business. In 1882 he built a small brick shop on the north side of the square. But his business rapid- ly increased obliging him to build the large two-story brick building where he is now located. In 1904 he further built a large double two story build- ing on the north side of the square. Mr. Misko is enterprising and public spirited tand has done very much indeed to build up Ord. As a dealer in harness and other leather goods he is known up and down the Valley for many miles. Thus he is known to make regular sales in Custer, Garfield, Sherman and Loup counties. Mr. Misko's success in a business way is attributable to honest methods and exceptional ability. MORTENSEN, PETER— treasurer of the state of Nebraska, belongs to the hardy race which comes out of the peninsula of Jutland, Denmark, where he was born Oct. 8, 1814. He came to America in lH70and worked in coal mines and iron works at and near Warrensburg, Missouri, for a year or more. In the spring of 1872 he came as one of the first Danish colony to Valley county and entered the northeast quarter of section 8. Town 19, Range 14 where he erected the famous first combination dugout-loghouse in the county. Prom the very first has he been before the public eye in one canaeity and another. His career is worthy of careful study and emula- tion. In 1872 he walked barefoot the long distance form Ord to Dannebrog with a sackful of plowshares on his back, which needed sharpening. To- day he is the treasurer of our great commonwealth; all this he has accom plished through common honesty, sound business sense and pure grit. He was county treasurer of Valley county from 1875 to 1884; then he was elect- ed assistant cashier of the new First National Bank of Ord. , He soon rose through the position of cashier to the presidency of the institutiun which he yet fills. He has ever been interested in the development of the Loup region and is extensively interested in its real estate and gives much atten- tion to agriculture and stock raising. He was married February 16, 1878, to Jennie H. Williams of West Paw Paw, Illinois, and has one son, Craw- ford. NEWBECKER, MINERVA M.— was :born in Harrisburg, Pa. Her early education was obtained here, she being a graduate of Harrisburg Female Seminary. She taught in her native town till lR70when she moved with her parents to Illinois where she continued as teacher in Ottawa. In 1889 she entered the Chicago Medical College of the Northwestern Univer- sity. On receiving her degree in 1893, she became interne in Chicago Hospital for Women and Children, and later practiced her profession in 272 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP Chicago. She was in Omaha one year and was most successful for over six years as woman physician in the State Asylum for insane at Lincoln, Nebr. She entered into partnership with Dr. Haldeman at Ord in July, 1901. At the expiration of three years she entered into practice alone, first building herself an office on Main street and a most comfortable residence. She has built up a large practice and is very successful. ORD NORMAL AND BUSINESS COLLEGE— while one of the new- est institutions established in the city, promises fair to take rank with the best schools of its kind. Prof. L. R. Bright, its jjrincipal and organizer, is a gentleman of culture, well fitted to make the venture a success. The high quality of work done in all departments of the school the past school year insures a greatly increased attendance for the coming scholastic year, which opens in Sep- tember. Prom the new catalogue we glean the following interesting facts: "The Ord Normal and Business College is just a year old, and starts on its second vear with the satisfaction of know- ing that the first year was a successful one. Not in any manner connected with the school that was established by C. W. Roush and which had so un- fortunate an experience, the Ord Normal and Business College is a fixture in Ord, and is the Jk home of Prof. Bright, the principal. .Ord is a good place for such a school. The business enterprise of the city has placed it ahead of any town in the county, and there is a certain vim and push about the town that becomes an incentive to a student coming here from other places. The public schools of Ord are among the best in the state, and a splendid educational tone per- meates the city. Excellent lecture courses are maintained every season. The churches of the city are well attended and the pulpits ably filled. The young- people of the various church societies will welcome you to their services." ORD QUIZ, THE— On the 6th day of April, 1882, the first issue of the Ord Quiz was printed and issued from a small shack, now gone, on the east side of the public square. It was established by the present owner, then a young man, with no newspaper experience. He came here because he was financially interested in the original townsite and that was all he had on earth but a young wife and a few debts incident to several years of college going. Whether the town needed another paper he did not know, and whether he was at all likely to succeed did not enter his head. From his early youth he was determined to be a printer, and as it was practically impossible for him to start anywhere else, he started here. For some reas- on, the Lord only knows what, the paper has succeeded. It stands pretty well in the estimation of the public and among the newspaper men of the state. Most everybody in the county permits it to come to his home, and most of these pay for it. It has one of the best printing plants in the state, equalled only by the best offices in three or four cities, and is housed BIOGRAPHICAL 273 in a new building erected specially for it last fall by the publisher. The Quiz is one of the very few papers which have run for about a quarter of a century witnout a change in ownership. Its files, which have been pre- served from the beginning, have been largely utilized in the preparation of the foregoing history, and are in many instances, the only authority extant. ROBBINS, A. M.— attorney-at-law, was born in McHenry county, 111., in 1849. Shortly after this his folks moved to Boone county, 111., where he lived on a farm until the spring of 1866, when he struck out for himself. Going to DeKalb county, in the same state, he continued to work by the month as a farm hand until the spring of 1868, when he entered the Teach- ers' Institute and Classical Seminary of Bast Paw Paw, 111., and com- menced a course of studies. He continued his attendance at the institute (with the exception of winters when he was teaching) until July 4, 1873, when he graduated and had conferred upon him the degree of Bachelor of Science. A few weeks aft^r he graduated, he commenced the study of law in the office of A. K. Truesdell, of Dixon, 111., and was admitted to practice in the fall of 1*75 before the Supreme Court of that state, and in December of the same year was admitted to practice at Omaha. On January 1, 1876, he opened an office at Papillion, Neb., and soon accumulated a successful lucrative practice. He continued in practice there until April, 1881, when he moved to Ord. Mr. Robbins has now been a practicing attorney in Ord for almost a quarter of a century and has built up a large practice in this part of the state. He has represented his district in the state senate and held other positions of public trust in his community. As one of the origi- nal founders of Ord he has been extensively interested in real estate in and around Ord. He was married in 1872 to Miss Cynthia C. Haskell, a resi- dent of DeKalb county, Illinois, who is also a graduate of the Classical In- stitute of Paw Paw, Illinois. They have seven children who have all grad- uated from the Ord High School and later, after pursuing courses of study in higher institutions of learning, entered upon honorable careers for them- selves. The youngest daughter. Alice, is the wife of the author of "The Trail of the Loup." STAPLE, R. L.— was born in Dodge county, Wisconsin, and moved to Grundy county, Iowa, when five years old. In 1879 he came with his par- ents to Wheeler county, Nebr., where he spent some years on his father's ranch. Clerical work w^as, however, more to Mr. Staple's liking. Accord- ingly he went into the Albion postoffice as deputy. Two years later he was appointed to a position in the office of the clerk of Boone county. In 1884 he went into the real estate business with his brother, W. L. Staple, at Cumminsville, Nebr., and that fall was appointed county clerk of Wheeler county. Two years later he retired to the practice of the law and further engaged in the real estate business at Bartlett, Nebr. He was married to Miss Margaret Erickson of Ericson, Nebr., in September, 1886, and is now the father of four bright children, two boys and two girls. He came to Ord with his family in 1892 and immediately hung out his shingle there, In January, 1893, he was elected secretary of the Valley County Abstract 274 THE TRATL OF THE LOUP Company, of which organization he became the sole owner ten years later. In 1895 he re-entered politics and was elected county judge, and was re- elected in 1897, and again in 1899 and in 1901. When the last term expired he retired to private life and to the many duties of a growing legal and ab- stract business. Mr. Staple's specialty is the examination of titles, in which he has had twenty years' experience. He is also extensively en- gaged in insurance and real estate business. TAYLOR, DR. GEORGE W.— was born at La Porte, Indiana, in 1877. His early education was gained at the La Porte Hi°h School. Later he studied at the University of Tennessee, which he left to enter the Dental Department of the University of Illinois. Here he received his degree in 1901. After being associated with a firm of dentists in Chicago for some time, Dr. Taylor came to Ord and entered the partnership of Holson & Tay- lor. This was in the fall of 1901. In 1903 Dr. Holson retired, leaving the latter in possession of the business at Ord. Dr. Taylor has built up here a good practice and is well known for his expert workmanship. WATSON & HALLOCK— The firm of Watson & Hallock, barbers, was established in 1903. J. E. Watson, the expert tonsorial artist, was associated with Charlie Barnes from '99 to '02. Ernest N. Hallock learned his trade in Omaha where he spent a number of years. This popular firm recently moved into the new Quiz block. Their new quarters are equipped with baths and all the latest appurtenances which gu to make up a first- class barber shop. Arcadia. BARTOO, DR. ALBON E.— was born in Eden. Erie county, N. Y., in 1862. After completing his studies in the district school he entered Springville (N. Y.) Academy where he attended two fall terms. During the winter months he taught school and later attended for one term each the academies at Forestville and Hamburg. In the fall of 1885 he matricu- lated in the Medical Department of the University of Buffalo, from which he graduated as president of his class in 1889. For six months he prac- ticed in Angola, N. Y., then removed to Wescott, Nebr., and nine months later, in 1890, to Arcadia, where he has since lived and where for a time he was one of the proprietors of the Crystal Drug Store. The doctor is a member of the Custer County Medical Society and the ex-secretary of the Loup Valley District Medical Society. In the fall of 1896 he married Miss Rosetta F. Potter and the following year built a cozy residence in the southern part of town. Dr. and Mrs. Bartoo are the parents of two chil- dren, daughters. While always interested in politics the doctor never sought any office till in response to unanimous nomination in the Republi- can county convention for representative in the fall of 1902, he accepted and was elected the first Republican to fill that office for twelve years. He was chairman of the Insane Hospital Committee, and a member of Com- mittees on Irrigation, Medical Societies, Corporation, and Public Lands and BIOGRAPHICAL 275 Buildings. It was largely due to his work that an appropriation for re- building the Norfolk Asylum was secured. He was re-elected represent- ative in 1904. FRIES, HON. M. L. — one of the best known business men and poli- ticians of our state, was born on a farm at Winchester, Virginia, October 15, 1856. His parents were poor, the father indeed dying before the boy was born. The mother too died before he reached manhood. Thus he early learned to hustle for himself, a habit which his record shows he has been true to ever since. When Mr. Fries was but twelve years old the family moved to Jasper county, Missouri. Here he spent His winters in the country schools and managed by dint of hard work to get a year's in- struction in the Carthage High School. Determined as he was to get an education the young man succeeded in getting through and graduating from the Scientific Department of the Northern Indiana Normal School. Then some years were occupied at teaching school in Indiana and Illinois. But failing health forced a change in climate, and for the next three years Mr. Fries held the responsible position as president of the Sierra Normal College at Auburn, California. This was between 1881-1884. Then for a year he was associated with Heald's Business College, San Francisco. In the spring of 1886 he located at Arcadia, Valley county, and engaged in the lumber business, which he has pursued successfully for almost twenty years. Indeed he has now one of the best equipped lumber yards in the state, and to judge by his books, does probably as big a business as any individual dealer in Nebraska. Mr. Fries is nothing if not public- spirited. From the day he first came to the state he has been active in politics. Thus he has served as county supervisor for a number of terms. He was on the state ticket as a McKinley presidential elector in 1896, and has been twice elected state senator from his district. He was one of the important special committee that drafted the new revenue law. Mr. Fries has during these years of public activity won many friends over the state who speak of him as a logical Republican candidate for the gubernatorial nomination in 1906. He would indeed make a strong candidate and an ex- cellent chief executive. He was married to Cora Anderson in Streator, Il- linois, in 1883, and has one daughter, aged nineteen. The Fries family has a pleasant home in Arcadia and is exceptionally prosperous. ROBINSON HOTEL— There is perhaps nothing more essential to the life of a town than a good, first-class hotel. For seven years prior to the establishment of the Robinson Hotel in June, 1905, Arcadia had been with- out this essential. Joshua M. Robinson, the proprietor of the new hos- telry, was born in Mercer county, 111., October 17, 1872. When seven years old his parents moved to Nebraska and homesteaded seven miles southwest of Loup City. Five years later they removed to a quarter which they had pre-empted four miles northeast of Arcadia. Here Mr. Robinson grew to manhood. At the age of seventeen years he went to Alliance, near which place he taught three very successful years of school. He then attended the Scotia Normal and Business University till, he graduated, August 3, 276 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP 1893. For two years he now taught in the country and was afterwards principal of the High School at Scotia for the same length of time. For the next three years he kept books for W. B. Weekes & Co. of Scotia. March 1. 1905, he bought his present hotel property and after extensive improvements, opened his house June 11, 1905. The Robinson Hotel is a fine three-story structure. It is fitted with all the modern conveniences. The rooms are large and airy and heated with hot water. In fact it is as good a |2.00 a day house as there is in this part of the state. In February, 1902, Mr. Robinson married Miss Gertrude B. Sturgeon of Alliance. They are the parents of two fine boys. SORENSEN, WALTER— Walter Sorensen, one of the leading citizens of Arcadia, and who owns a beautiful residence in Arcadia, was born in Ribe, Denmark, in 1874 He came to this country in 1891. He went to work on a farm near Loup City, Sherman county, which he followed for two years, when he entered the barber shop at Loup City as an apprentice. He followed the barber business for two years at various points in the Loup country, and in 1895, he came to Arcadia, with but 75 cents in his pocket, but with a carload of grit. He bought, the barber shop, and started business for himself. The fact that today he owns this beautiful home, and is in comfortable circumstances tells its own story. This is but an- other example of what can be done in the Loup country by one who sticks to it. He was married in June, 1899, to Miss Nina Landers, and one daughter has been born to them. North Loup. BABCOCK, E. J. — The most prominent member of the North Loup bar for many years has been E. J. Babcock. He was born at Dakota, Wisconsin, and came to Valley county in 1872. He received his first college education at Doane College, Crete, and later spent some years in Alfred University, New York, from which institution he received his Ph. B. in 1884. Later his alma mater granted him the degree of Ph. M. for post- graduate work. His law studies, which were commenced in New York, were continued under the veteran Tom Redlon at North Loup. He was ultimately admitted to the bar in 1886. Ever since that time Mr. Babcock has practiced law before the courts of Nebraska. He is considered one of the most successful barristers in this part of the state. BABCOCK & G OWEN— The firm of Babcock & Gowen, general mer- chandise, is one of the most enterprising of North Loup business interests. While the partnership is only one year old at the present writing, it does a surprisingly large annual volume of business. The stock which was $3,000.00 at the commencement of business in November, 1904, has grad- ally been increased till it now amounts to $10,000. Mr. Eddie Babcock, one of the partners, is a son of Elder Oscar Babeonk and has been identified with North Loup from its very inception. He is well educated, having graduated from Michigan University Law School. For eleven years he practiced his profession. This was before he entered upon his new busi- BIOGRAPHICAL 277 ness in 1904. Mr. W. E. Gowen, the other member of the firm, was a Min- nesota boy who came to North Loup it) the early '70s. He too has been identified with many business ventures these last twenty or more years. DAVIS, H. E. — North Loup's successful furniture dealer, is compara- tively speaking an old-timer. Ho was boi/n in Lewis county, New York, in 1855 and ten years later moved to Freeborn county, Minnesota. In 1878 he again turned westward and settled on a farm one and three quarter miles northwest of North Loup. Here he farmed for some years and then moved to North Loup and opened a first-class furniture store. He carries a very complete stock", invoicing about $7,000. FARMERS' STATE BANK— In August, L882, Messrs. Lee Love and George W. Post established the Loup Valley Bank, the first banking insti- tution in North Loup. The same year the firm name became Sears Bros. & Love, to be changed again in May, 1883, to Seares Bros. During the last twenty years the town has had a rather varied banking history, com- ing to a climax with a failure and close-down during the dry years. Bub in May, 1900, tried and practical bankers took hold of affairs and opened the Farmers' State Bank. The organizers of the institution were Guy Dann, A. U. Dann, Sam McClellan, O. S. Potter, W. E. Gowen and George Johnson. Of these A. U. Dann was elected president and Guy Dann cashier. The first financial statement of the bank was issued when the in- stitution was two months old and is interesting particularly for the sub- stantial growth shown when compared with the statement of May 19, L906. After a management of the bank covering almost five years the Danns re- tired, giving way to a completely new management, composed as follows: Samuel McClellan, president; George E. Johnson, cashier; and Robert Johnson, third director. In February 1906, L. E. Pugh was elected cashier and George E. Johnson elected president and the capital stock of the bank increased to $10,000. A statement made at the close of business May 19, 1906, discloses the following status. Resources. Liabilities. . , rv . .. _ , OQ Capital and Surplus Paid In $10,000.00 Loans and Discounts - - 44,283 88 F ^ Undivided Profits - - - 936 60 Deposits - 67.664 32 Overdrafts - 1.335 26 Furniture and Fixtures - - 500 00 Expenses - 582 88 Cash and Sight Exchange - 31.945 90 ( Legal Reserve) Total - $78,647.92 Total $78,647 92 HUTCHINS BROTHERS— is a firm of prosperous implement dealers, comDrising G. L. Hutchins and E. A. Hutchins, both of whom were born in Minnesota. In 1866 they moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where they spent the most of their youth. In 1884 G. L. Hutchins came to North Loup where, with the exception of two years spent in Colorado, he has lived ever since. His brother, although he came to Valley county in 1885, did not make this his permanent home till years afterwards. In 1892, G. L. Hutch- ins commenced business as an implement dealer. However, his stock was very small, scarcely invoicing $300, In 1.898, E. A. Hutchins bought an in- 278 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP terest in his brother's prospering business and since then they have worked together. The firm has now a large, growing business and carries a stock of implements which will invoice at least $4,000. JOHNSON, GEORGE E. — is one of the most enterprising and success- ful of Valley county business men. From a farmer he has risen to be one of our most prominent bankers and dealers in lumber and grain. He was born in Jasper county, Iowa, in 1862 and spent his early manhood there. When seventeen years old he came with his parents to Hall county, spend- ing three years there on a farm. In 1882 the family removed to Davis Creek where both the father and son George homesteaded. The younger Johnson moved from the farm to North Loup in 1886, and there commenced his business career. He bought the old Allen coal business and a year later commenced buying grain for an Omaha firm. This he continued for four years and then began operating his own elevator. In 1902 he opened a lumber yard in connection with his other business and prospered from the first. The grain elevator was burned to the ground in 1905 but was immediately rebuilt larger and better than before. An inspection of the Geo. Johnson interests at North Loup impresses one with what general thrift and shrewd business ability can accomplish. Mr. Johnson has for a number of years been a director of the Farmers' State Bank of North Loup and was elected cashier of the institution March 15, 1905. He mar- ried Eva Redton in 1885. They are the parents of five children. JOHNSON, FRANK — One of the best appointed general merchandise stores in North Loup is that operated by Frank Johnson. He occupies the most pretentious brick structure in town and covers a very large floor space. In 1901 he bought the George Stover stock which invoiced about $5,000.00. Since then the business has made rapid strides upward, so that now he carries a stock of at least $12,000. Mr. Johnson, who is a son of Robert Johnson of Davis Creek, was born in Jasper county, Iowa, in 1873. When he was but three or four years old his father moved to Hall county, Nebraska, but in 1881 moved up the Loup to Davis Creek. Young Frank determined to enter the commercial lists and to that end camt! to North Loup and entered the field. For a man so young as he is Mr. Johnson has done remarkably well. MANCHESTER, I. A.— The lands of the Valley adjacent to North Loup have proven to be remarkably well adapted for raising seeds of various sorts. Some years ago W. P„ Everingim opened a small seed house, contracting popcorn with eastern firms. After some twelve years he sold his holdings to Ira A. Manchester who is now rapidly enlarging the business by putting in approved machinery in his cleaning and sorting rooms. Not alone is he contracting for popcorn, but for barley, oats, mac- aroni wheat and several other cereal seeds. His shipments go to every part of the United States. Thus, last year he shipped 300 carloads of seed, a most remarkable feat. MOORE, GEORGE W. — dealer in hardware and stoves, was born in Cedar county, Illinois, February 7, 1832. Here he grew up, attending the BIOGRAPHICAL 279 so-called subscription schools of those early days. He married Mary C. Frazier of Indiana and is the father of eight children, four of whom are living. The Moores have seen quite a bit of shifting about. Thus they came to Iowa in 1863— Mr. Moore farming for years where Missouri Valley now stands— later they moved to near Hastings, Nebraska, and finally to northern Sherman county. In 1893 Mr. Moore traded bis farm for Charles Thrasher's hardware store at North Loup. He is well stocked with gen- eral hardware and stoves, and is doing a good business. ROOD, WALTER I.— The subject of this sketch was born at Dakota, Wisconsin, June 5, 1864. He came to Valley county in the spring of 1875 and lived on the old homestead in Mira Valley till the winter of 1888, when he moved to the village of North Loup, where his home has since been. Young Walter attended the country schools but little, as he lost his father when but thirteen years of age. This forced the boy to get out and hustle for himself. By reading and studying at home evenings he prepared him- self for college. In 1893 he matriculated at Milton College and studied there for two years. Then followed six years of teaching— two years in Illinois and four in Nebraska; the last two as assistant principal at North Loup. In 1897 he bought the Loyalist, since which time he has been its editor and publisher. He is unmarried and lives with his mother. He has been a member of the Village Board of Trustees for seven years and has been three years township clerk. Burwell. BANK, WILLIAM— comes out of old Scotland, and is of good Scotch ancestry. He possesses many of the sturdy qualities and traits which have made Scotchmen leaders the world over. His birthplace was the city of Perth, beautifully situated on the banks of the Tay. He spent twenty-one years in the homeland, attending grammar school at Hasting, Eas»a and Retrey. -Full four years were then spent in apprenticeship. He became a journeyman blacksmith in 1885 and worked in this capacity for a year at Blairgowrie. Here he married Miss Susan Saunder and with his young wife came to the United States in 1886. The first stop was made in Osborn county, Kansas. The family came to Burwell in 1889, where Mr. Bank has since followed his trade. Mrs. Bank died in 1896 leaving four chil- dren living. William Bank is highly respected in his profession and out- side it. He has a first class smithy, furnished with electric motor-power and other modern appurtenances. He holds high office in the local Masonic lodge, and is the chief of the fire department. He has a valuable farm a short distance from town. BECKER, WILBER M.— may justly lay claim to be the "Pioneer Mer- chant" of Burwell. For his was the first store to be erected on the town- site, and with the exception of A. A. Graber, he is the only merchant who has stuck to his post continuously up to the present. Mr. Becker was born in Schoharie county, New York, in 1842, where he grew to manhood. He received nis education in the common schools of his home county and at 280 THE TRAIL OF THE JLOUP Fort Edward Collegiate Institute. The Becker family moved to Crawford county, Iowa, in 1875. Here young Wilber clerked in a store for a while and later was taken into partnership with his father, under the firm name of Wm. N. Becker & Co. The firm erected a store building at Burwell in 1883 and placed their stock of general merchandise in charge of George Hoyt. Mr. Becker did not take personal charge of the business till 1887, however, but since that time he h is never for a moment let go the reins of management. It is interesting to know that the present "Pioneer Store" block has resulted from the reconstruction of two old, historical structures —the first store building erected on Burwell townsite and the C. H. Jones store building, first built at old Willow Springs and later moved to Burwell. Mr. Becker can teil of hardship and discouragement as known only to the earliest settlers. He well remembers the time that eastern wholesalers were reluctant to extend him credit on bills exceeding $50.00, and how he was forced to live on the old homestead for years after taking charge of the store, and having to drive the four miles daily, all because he was too poor to prove up on it. But those days are gone and prosperity has smiled on the Beckers. Besides doing a good business in the "Pioneer Store" he owns a thousand acres of good farm lands occupied by tenants. Mr. Becker was married to Miss Mary E. Chauncey at Amsterdam, New York, in 1866. Five children have come to bless the family. Of these the three sons assist their father in one capacity or another. Of the daughters one— Mrs. J. J. Hess— lives on a farm near Burwell. BEYNON, DAVID S.— the present postmaster of Burwell, was born at Albia, Iowa, December 5, 1856. He was born on the farm and reared to manhood there. His early education was such as could be procured in the rural schools of those days. When twenty-one years of age he began to shift for himself and tried his hand at farming in different parts of the state. It was perhaps his marriage to Miss Christina J. Cor- nelia that decided him to leave Albia definitely and to seek a career in the greater, untramelled west. At any rate as soon as this event took place, in December, 1833, he . moved with his wife to western Iowa and there engaged in farming for two years. But Mr. Bey- non was not satisfied to stop here. Accordingly the family set out for Nebraska and reached Wil- low Springs July 3, 1886. Ever since his arrival in Garfield county has Mr. Beynon been inti- mately connected with the progress of the county. Willow Springs was quite a town then and prom- ised to continue the metropolis of the upper Val- ley. Mr. Beynon accordingly bought an interest in a drug store there, entering partnership with Dr. A. W. Hoyt. Everything went smoothly till the B. & M. commenced building to Burwell. Willow Springs was doomed and no one realized this more fully than David Beynon. In Feb- ruary, 1888, he moved his residence across the ice of the North Loup to BIOGRAPHICAL 281 Burwell; the store building was torn down and rebuilt on Webster street. Within the last few years it has been moved to its present location on Grand Avenue and further remodelled. Mr. Beynon has been a careful, upright business man and has succeeded well. He operates an up-to-date drug business, being a registered pharmacist. An index to his general prosperity may be seen in the late erection of a beautiful home, costing* at least $3,500. In public affairs, too, has he taken a prominent part. Thus he has been a member of the school board at Burwell for ten years, chair- man of the village board a number of years, and deputy sheriff two terms. While acting in the latter capacity he made an enviable record by captur- ing Nicholas Foley, the Antelope county murderer and desperado. He was appointed postmaster of Burwell August 7, 1897. During his term of office, Burwell postoffice has been raised from fourth to third class office. causing a raise in salary from $o00 to $110p per annum. Three rural routes and four star routes now branch out from this office. The Beynons have an interesting family. Of the four children now living Rebecca has grad- uated from the Burwell High School and lately from the Fremont Normal. She teaches this year at York. John, the only son, is also a graduate of the local High School. BRAGG, CHARLES I. — county attorney of Garfield county, was born at Sanford, New York, in ls63. He was a very precocious boy as may be seen from the fact that he had already completed his course at Unadilla Academy and received a life certificate to teach school when twelve years old. After teaching for a couple of terms in his native state he came west and pursued the same occupation at Cedar Rapids, Nebraska. He spent three years in the regular army, but soon realized that in time of peace the ambitious youth may find greater avenues for advancement in civil life. He accordingly retired to private life. From ls*2 onward he engaged in the insurance business. This took him to Kent, Loud county, in L885. Next year he commenced the study of law and was admitted to the bar in 1889. Mr. Bragg has been a life-long Republican. He has been very active in public life and has taken a leading part in the councils of his party. In Loup county he held the office of county attorney one term and was county clerk for three years. He moved to Burwell in the fall of 1h97 as this town seemed to offer greater possibilities for a broader usefulness. While here he became one of the founders of the American Order of Protection, though he later devoted all his time to law. He was elected county attorney of Garfield county in 1904 and fills the important position with much cvedit to himself and the party that elected him. Mr. Bragg married Miss Jennie M. Ginder in 1885. The happy family, including parents and six children, is now nicely located in a beautiful home lately erected in the south part of the city. CASH MERCANTILE CO.— The Cash Mercantile Co. is one of the 282 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP thriving institutions of Burwell. Being the successor of Scott Brothers' old, well established general store, it carries with its new name all the trade of the old. The store is under the management of Peter Scott who is recognized as one of the most genial and able business men of our Valley. He together with his brother George F. Scott of Taylor constitute the company. The business, which is of the nature of general merchandise, is well stocked with al! that pertains to a first-class store of this kind. Dry goods, shoes, and all kinds of fresh groceries are always kept in stock. By dint of hard work and unquestionable honesty the management of the Cash Mercantile Co. has built up a trade hard to excel. CRAM, ALBERT I. — One of the younger business men in Burwell who is succeeding exceptionally well is Albert 1. Cram. He was born at Monmouth, Illinois. November 16, 1883, and moved with his parents to Loup county, Nebraska, in 1883. He remained on iiis father's farm till twenty-one years old, when he decided to prepare for a business career. The Munmouth, Illinois, graded schools had given him a foundation upon which to build. Some time spent at the David City High School and the Omaha Business College then prepared him for his chosen work. He en- tered the First Bank of Burwell as book keeper but was soon chosen to the responsible position of cashier. Four and one-half years later he became a member of Cram Brother, lumber dealers. When the firm was reorganized in 1900 under the name of Cram & Co., he was made •manager. He married Effie V. Wilson and is the father of three children, two boys and one girl. CRAM, WILBER I. — is proud that he comes of Irish ancestry, and one of his day-dreams for many years has been to visit the home of his fathers "across the big sea." He was born at historic Crown Point, New York, August 8, 1846, and remained there till eight years old, when he moved with his parents to Jackson county, Iowa. Here he remained for more than 27 years engaged in farming and stockraising. As a cattle judge and specialist he soon won more than local fame. He became a breeder of thoroughbred swine and one of the originators of the American Poland China Record Association. While here he married Miss Honour Filby. They have four sturdy sons who are all making their way in the world. Thus O. E. Cram manages the old home ranch in Loup county, A. I. Cram is a noted Burwell lumber dealer, Fred C. Cram manages the stock- yards at Sargent, and John E. Cram is associated with bis father in the Burwell stockyards. The Crams became pioneers in the unorganized ter- ritory which later became Loup county. They arrived in 1881, and home- steaded the southeast quarter of Section 3, Township 21, Range 19. By degrees they have added quarter to quarter till now the ranch, as W. J. calls it, contains 1,680 acres of good land. When they first took their claim the nearest neighbors were four miles away, and water had to be hauled in barrels a distance of seven miles. This led to the sinking of a well 300 feet deep, every foot of it dug by spade. In those days, too, the nearest freight depot was a hundred miles down the river. Mr. Cram feeds in the BIOGRAPHICAL 283 neighborhood of 500 steers on the ranch annually, and otherwise deals in in all kinds of livestock. He has lately completed a$4,000 residence prop- erty, including a waterworks plant. COFFIN, HARRY J. — is a Yankee bred and born. He boasts descent from the historic Tristram Coffin who settled on Nantucket Island in the middle of the seventeenth century, and whose family is scattered far and wide over the American continent today. Harry J. was born at Boston, January 16, 1860, and remained in his native town till almost 18 years old. He was educated in the excellent public schools of the old "Hub" city, and later worked in an organ factory there for several years. He left the New England states and came to Nebraska in the spring of 1878. The first pause was made at Schuyler where he farmed for four years. In 1883 he took a pre-emption near O'Neill, but after six months removed to The Forks, Wheeler county, and took a homestead. He moved to Burwell in 1902 and purchased the Garfield county branch of the Howe Lumber Co., operating the same under the title of H. J. Coffin for some time. The firm name has, however, lately been changed to Burwell Lumber and Coal Co., with Mr. Coffin as pro- prietor. He also operates a lumber yard and general store at El.yria under the name of Elyria Mercantile Co., with J. E. Stingley as manager. Mr." Coffin is interested in a number of other enterprises and is an extensive land owner. He has been on the board of commissioners in his home county and has served several terms on the village board. In May, 1893, he married Miss Mary Halloran of Inman, Nebr. They have three daugh- ters and are nicely located in their elegantly appointed home within a block of the lumber yard. DORAN, THOMAS H.— Representative from the 49th District, is an Irishman bred and born. He came ' out of the picturesque county Carlow and when only six months old arrived at New York with his parents. His history in this land of his adoption has been a very honorable one. Four years saw the family and young Thomas on the trail with faces set toward the great west. Tbe first pause in the journey came in LaSalle county, Illinois. Here the Dorans remained ten years, indeed till 1865. The next move was to Livingston county where the elder Doran died. The care of the family now devolved on the fifteen year old Thomas. The worth of the man is shown in the ability and conscientiousness with which the stripling boy took his father's onerous duties upon himself. Comparative pros- perity came with hard work and in 1874 the westward march was continued to Beaver, Boone county, Iowa, where Mr. Doran engaged extensively in the grain, lumber and livestock business. His popularity and natural in- clination for politics were soon rewarded by his being made postmaster of Beaver. But it is his career in Nebraska that is our particular theme here. He arrived at Burwell in 1889, and in conjunction with his brother John 284 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP bought the First Bank of Bur well, then operated by the First National Bank of Orel. As an important step in strengthening their banking insti- tution the brothers bought the Garfield County Bank and merged it with the First Bank. Mr. Doran was married at Boone, Iowa, to Miss Ettie Satterlee. Of the four children born to them only one, a son, reached ma- turity. The latter is now associated in business with his fat/her. It is espe- cially for his activity in affairs pertaining to the welfare of his own village and district that Mr. Doran has earned the thanks of his neighbors and constituents. When the county seat question came up for the last time none was more active than Thomas Doran. He has also been a prominent mem- ber of the school board for fourteen years, and one of the town buard al- most continually since its organization. In 1900 his brother's health failed. This led to the sale of the bank to Dann Bros. Mr. Doran and family now spent a year in restful travel in California and old Mexico. Upon return- ing home in 1901 he engaged in stock raising. His ranch is one of the largest in this part of the state, and is the home of many hundred head of cattle and horses. Several other enterprises in which he is interested should not be overlooked. Thus he became a member of the prominent lumber business of Cram & Co. in 1897. A few months ago he purchased A. A. Graber's hardware store and placed the same in charge of his son, and nephew. As stated above, Mr. Doran represents the 49th District in the State Legislature. He is a republican in politics, and his popularity is shown by the fact that he carried his district, which is strongly populistic, by no less than 252 votes. DOUGLAS, L. P.— proprietor of the Burwell House, the leading hotel in Burwell, was born in New York state in 1843. He did not come west before 1876, when he first spent six years in Iowa, after which he moved to Omaha and engaged in the mercantile business. He and his wife are practical hotel people, having managed first-Cilass hostelries in several cities. The Douglas family came to Burwell from Bellwood where they had pursued successfully in the same business. The Burwell house caters to both tran- sient and local trade. THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK— had its genesis in the First Bank of Burwell, which was for some time operated by the First National Bank of Ord. In 18S9 Thomas H. and John Doran purchased this institution and merged it with the Garfield County Bank, under the name, however, of the former. In 1900 the bank was sold by the Dorans to Dann Brothers. Since that time it has been re-organized as a National Bank with a capital of $25,000, under a new management of shrewd financiers and moneyed men. The present officers nnd stockholders are: W. L. McMullen, president; E. Bailey, vice-presidont ; J. M. Conrad, cashier; W. I. Cram, J. A. Brownell, M. B. Goodenow, Geo. F. Scott and W. T. Barstow. This bank is doing much to promote the material progress of Garfield and Loup counties, and carries on a general banking business, receiving deposits, loaning money on approved security, discounting acceptable commercial paper, buying and selling domestic and foreign exchange, making collections, and generally BIOGRAPHICAL 285 exercises ail the functions of a first-class banking institution. The First National is a synonym for stability and integrity. A statement of the con- dition of the bank at the close of business May 29. 1905, is as follows: RESOURCES LIABILITIES Loans $ 57,595 43 Capital $ 25,000 00 U. S. Bonds and Premiums 10,437 50 Surplus 250 00 Banking house Fur. and Fix 3,000 00 Undivided Profits 2,329 79 Cash and Sight Exchange. 72,541 26 Circulation lo,()00 00 Due from U. S. Treasurer. 500 00 Deposits. 106,494 40 $ 144,074 19 $ M4,o74 19 GRABER, ALFRED A.— can rightfully boast of being one of the very first merchants in Burwell, for when he opened for business the only store on the towtisite besides his own was the Becker store. He comes of good, sturdy Swiss ancestry, though born at Mount Eton, Ohio. Until he was 24 years old the young man worked out, helping his parents who were poor. Rut when he finally left home he drifted about considerably before settling in Garfield county. Thus we hear of him in Michigan, at Waverly, and Wahoo, Nebraska; in 1877, in western Kansas; then in 1879, toiling overland to the Black Hills with their dangers and gold. In 1880 he is back in his native state, though not to remain, for in 1883, we find him bor- ing weJls at Wahoo, Nebraska. He next formed a partnership with a Swede and engaged in the hardware business at Meade. But Loup Valley history is of more interest to us. As we have said he built the second store in Burwell. This was a small structure 10x22 feet large, built at the corner of Milwaukee street and Grand Avenue. The store opened the 1st of June. 1884, with a $12(10 stock of hardware most of which was gotten on credit. But Mr. Graber did well in business. He took an active part in the county seat election in 1884- '85 and was instrumental in securing the writ of mandamus demanding a recount of votes. Associated with him in this were Corn well, Ferguson, Smith, Mathews and other old-timers. Down through the years the business grew substantially till Mr. Graber found himself the proprietor of quite a department store. Thus in addition to hardware he handled farm implements and furniture, and became the town undertaker. On June 27, 1903, the store was struck by lightning and partially burned, causing a net loss of $3000. Instead of rebuilding Mr: Graber bought the stock and plant of B. J. Bunnell, which he again lately disposed of to Thomas Doran. Mr. Graber is nothing if not public spirit- ed. He has thus been a member of the village board for ten years, and a chief promoter in procuring for Burwell a system of waterworks. His wife was formerly Miss Louise Keller of Youngston, Ohio. With her bright little family of five children, three boy» and two girls, she presides over the cozy Graber home situated in the northwest part of town. HOLSON, DR. JOHN CLAUDE -is one of the most successful dentists in this part of the state. He is an Iowan by birth having spent his early days in Iowa City. Here he received his early and higher education. A 286 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP graduate of the city high school, he matriculated at the medical college of the state university of Iowa, pursuing the regular practitioner's course. Prom this he graduated in 1890. He then took a course in the Iowa State University Dental College, graduating in 1892. He opened his dental par- lors in Ord in the summer of 1896 making a specialty of crown and bridge work. In September, 1895, he was married to Rose I. Robbins and together they continued to make Ord their home till in 1903 they removed to Bur- well where they are nicely situated in their cosy home in the south part of town. Dr. Holson not alone takes care of the JBurwell patients but has branch offices at Comstock, Taylor ar.d Greeley Center. HEGNER & DOWNEY.— The firm of Hegner & Downey, dealers in farm and agricultural implements, though of com- paratively recent origin, is doing a remarkably good business. In fact it may be said that Hegner & Down- ey are today the only exclusive dealers in their line in Garfield county, having recently purchased the stock carried by other concerns of the same kind. Absolute honesty and strict business principles have won for the firm public confidence and given it a very enviable name. Theodore F. W. Hegner, the senior member of the firm, is a German by birth, coming from Alstadt, Germany, where he was born March 22, 1865. He arrived at Grand Island, Nebr., Here his boyhood was spent. T. F. W. Hegner. with his parents when just six years old. The public schools in those days were rather in their infancy, so that young Theodore's schooling was not of the best. A few years in carpentry and blacksmithing closed his career in Grand Island. Now follow some years of ranching and homesteading in Rock county. His marriage to Miss Edna Akins was solemnized June 28, 1893, of which union two children are nuw living. Mr. Hegner seems to have preferred his early profession to farm- ing for in 1893 he opened a blacksmith shop at Long Pine, coming to Bur- well in 1895, continuing the same line here. He still owns his Burwellshop though not working it himself The firm of Hegner & Downey was organ- ized in March, 1905, though Mr. Hegner had already been in the business a year when the change was •made. Fred A. Downey was born in Buchanan county, Iowa, June 26, 1870. He lived there till he was seven years old and then came to Knox county, Ne- braska. Here some nine years were spent in school and on the farm. After spending four years near Norfolk farming, he moved to Inman. where he mar- ried Miss Delia Hallorail. The Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Downey. BIOGRAPHICAL 287 family arrived at Burwell in 1895 and spent ten years in farming near town. As stated above he entered the Implement business of Hegner & Downey a few months ago. Aside from carrying a full line of farm and agricultural implements, the firm handles buggies and harness of all kinds. JANES & SONS— One of the old timers of the Loup doing a good business at Burwell is B. F. Janes of the successful firm of Janes & Co. He is an old Waushara county, Wisconsin, man, from the earliest date associ- ated with the North Loup colony from that county. His father gave his life for his country during the Civil War, and thus the care of a widowed mother fell to B. F. and his brothers. He moved to North Loup in the early seventies and was for many years identified with North Loup in various business enterprises. Thus he engaged in livery and dray business and pursued carpentry for some time. Later he operated a skating rink at Ord. Then in turn he took a homestead near Kent, where he lived for some years. Becoming tired of the farm he moved to Burwell where he tried his hand at the harness trade and sale of implements. Not until the fall of 1900 did he launch upon the business which he is now pursuing — the general merchandise business. He started in with a small stock worth about $500.00, but soon built up a nice trade. Clayton McGrew now became associated with him in the business. In the spring of 1901 they bought out McMullen & Conrad; later in the year Mr. McGrew retired from the firm, whereupon William, son of B. F. Janes, came in as a junior member. During the last four years this firm has had a steadily increasing business and today carry one of the best and most complete stock of general mer- chandise in the city. STACY, EARL— now one of the most successful watchmakers and jewellers in our Valley, is an Ord product, having been born there on the 16th of September, 1881. Here he grew up and was schooled. For a pro- fessional course he attended a practical school in watchmaking in the east and soon found lucrative employment in the Bell Watch Factory at Cleve- land, Ohio As a reward of thrift and ability he was soon promoted to be foreman in one of the shops, which position he held for nearly two years. Hearing the call of the west he returned to his boyhood home and w T as for some time engaged with E. L. Gard at Ord. December 1, 1904, he moved to Burwell and opened a first class jewelry shop and watchmaking estab- lishment there. He carries a very fine and complete stock and hits the confidence of the community in which he now moves and works. THURSTON, EUGENE D., M. D— was born at Richford, Wisconsin, September 3, 1859. Here he spent his boyhood and received his early education. When he was fifteen years old his parents came to Nebraska and arrived at Valley county in June, 1875. The elder Thurston bought the homestead and timber claim entered by Grandpa J. C. Collins in 1873, and located just east of Ord on the Springdale road. The dwelling house THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP 288 on the homestead was constructed from sawed cedar logs and was covered with red cedar shingles. The two quarters were bought for $500 then. It is interesting to know that now these farms could not be bought for 120,000. Young Eugene came to the valley early enough to see antelope shot on the townsite of Ord. Thus he states that on a certain day in 1876 "Art" Stacy shot three of these delusive animals just about where the pub- lic square now is. But those days are past. In 1880 Mr. Thurston en- tered the Methodist Episcopal Seminary at York and remained there for some time. He later matriculated at the College of physicians and sur- geons at Keokuk, only later to shift to the Medical Department of the Uni- versity of Nebraska, wherefrom he graduated in 1884. He hung out his shingle at Taylor in 1886 where he remained — barring a short stay at Eugene, Oregon — till he moved to Burwell in 1900 to take the practice of the late Dr. Cameron. He married Minnie Davis in 1893. They have two children, a boy and a girl. Dr. Thurston is known far up and down the river as a careful, painstaking physician and jolly good fellow. He is a brother of "Herb" Thurston, an early-day sheriff of Valley county, who is now located at Longmont, Colorado. TODD, WILLIAM Z.— editor of the Burwell Tribune, was born in Jones county, Iowa, September 28, 1866. When he was but four years old the Todd family moved to Cedar county where William remained till he was twenty years old, attending school and working in his father's law office. Mr. Todd came to Neligh, Nebraska, in 1883, and took a homestead in Wheeler county the next year. In 1888 he was induced by business men of Willow Springs to start the Willow Springs Enterprise in that town, to counteract the influence of growing Burwell. But when two years later the exodus to the latter town began Mr. Todd moved his printing estab- lishment thither and founded the Garfield Enterprise. His public activity is from this time on chronicled in the chapter on "the Newspaper in the Valley." In August, 1892, he married Mollie McKenzie. They have two children, a boy and a girl. WICKS, ROBERT G.— the genial proprietor of the Racket Store, lo- cated at the corner of Grand Avenue and Webster Street, has had a most romantic life story. Born at Farnham, England in 1867, he took to the sea at the early age of 13. In his voyaging he soon became familiar with the ports of the Mediterranean and the Levant. He has sailed through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean and all the Indies reached by the latter. Indeed, he can boast of having seen all the continents of our earth. Barring the distance from Adelaide to SanPrancisco, he has cir- cumnavigated the globe. But Mr. Wicks is inclined to be a little modest when taking about these, his early wanderings. Mere chance decided his coming to America and the United States. It was "heads," America and "tails" Australia. "Heads" won and the Loup added a good citizen to its population. He arrived at the small English colony on the Middle Loup, near Arcadia in 1886. But he soon tired of life there and went to Chicago and entered the employ of the Armours. But he longed for the open BIOGRAPHICAL 289 plains of Nebraska and again he returned to the Loup, this time to Bur- well, and immediately engaged in the general merchandise business. This was June 1, 1890. His first store-building, the so-called Jerry Schuyler building, measured only 18x20, but readily accommodated his small first stock. In course of a few years the business grew to such an extent that a new building became necessary. Accordingly he moved into the capa- cious quarters now in use. He has also enjoyed a large trade from the Sar- gent country. So the extension of the B. & M. from Arcadia naturally worked him considerable harm. However, he has an excellent business as things are and is very prosperous. He owns some five hundred acres of farm land under rent and has just completed an elegant home which has cost him at least $4,000. Mrs. Wicks was formerly Miss Addie L. Myers. They were married in 1892 and have four children, one boy and three girls. JOHNS & MITCHELL— Burwell is well supplied with up-to-date gen- eral merchandise stores. One of the most prominent of these is operated by the well known firm of Johns & Mitchell. The senior member of the firm has been written up elsewhere in this work and may be passed by here. The junior member, Robert J. Mitchell, was born in New York state, in 1864, getting his early schooling in the old log school house there. At 18 years of age he moved to Holyoke, Mass., and remained there till 1889. In that year he came to Burwell and began farming. He took a homestead in Loup county and spent five years there. Two years were asain spent in Massachusetts, after which he entered the mercantile busi- ness. This he did by purchasing the stock of J. R. Alderman & Son, which he moved to the old "Michel Store." Later he formed a partner- ship with Ed. M. Tunnicliffe, then county clerk. Mr. Mitchell married Miss Nannie E. Alderman, November 24, 1892, and has an interesting fam- ily of one son and three daughters. The firm remained as Mitchell & Tunnicliffe till July 5, 1904, when Mr. Mitchell sold out to Will Johns. But in February, 1905, Mr. Tunnicliffe retired and Mr. Mitchell again entered the firm, now as the junior member. When Robert Mitchell launched the business six years ago he had a stock worth $600. By careful and correct business methods this stock has increased till it is now ten or twelve times as large. A full line of general merchandise, always fresh and up to-date is kept on hand. Johns & Mitchell have succeeded because worthy of suc- cess. KEY, FARAN'M.— was born in Adair county, Iowa, on November 19, 1863. When eleven years old he left his home state and with his parents moved around considerably. Thus we find him in Cowley county, Kansas, later in Benton county, Arkansas, and then back again in Iowa. When 24 years old he married Miss Annie Wright who became the mother of two children. She died in 1893. From his second marriage Mr. Key has five children making in all seven. He came to Garfield county in 1888 and im- mediately pre-empted a quarter section of land, and in 1901 filed upon his homestead. Mr. Key is a popular and public spirited man. He was elect- 290 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP ed sheriff by the populist party in 1901 and re-elected two years later. He has engaged in the implement business, but at the present gives all his time to the plumbing business, and sinking of wells and erection of wind- mills. The deepest well in the county — 325 feet — has been sunk by him. A sketch of Mr. Key would not be complete without mentioning his busi- ness with the U. S. government. The star mail routes of the upper valley have been for years in his hands. Thus he contracted to carry the mail from Burwell to Taylor and Almeria in 1894 and still controls that route. He has likewise the Blake route, and he had the prime route— from Bur- well to the mouth of Gracie Creek — till it was discontinued. LAVERTY, GUY — is practically speaking a Nebraska product. Though born in Black Hawk county, Iowa, when only two years old he came with his parents to Ne- braska and Cass county. Here he spent his boyhood and at- tended the rural schools. The Lavertys moved to Valley coun- ty in 1884 and settled on a farm in Geranium township. Guy had no inclination to become a farmer, so came to Ord where he attended the high school. Later he taught school for some four years and io 18^0 found tine to attend the Fremont Normal school. In the fall of 1892 his legal career began. Then he entered the law office of Hon. Chas. A. Muun. A year later he was admitted to the bar. He imme- diately thereupon moved to Burwell and was elected county attorney in 1894 and re-elected twice. He has today a very remunerative law practice writes insurance and makes a specialty of abstracts. Mr. Laverty is a populist in politics. He was married to Miss Emma M. Glover at Ord August 31, 1892. They have two children, Cecil and Carmen. Mrs. Lav- erty is an expert accountant and stenographer and has been of invaluable assistance to her husband in his upward career. ' •Mr. Laverty is very pub- lic spirited. In the M. E. church he has been for years a mainstay; on the school board he has been elected and re-elected time and again. McGREW, I. W.— dealer in general merchandise, is one of the most prosperous merchants in the upper valley. He was born at Abbington, Illi- nois, February 9. 1863. At eight years of age he came with his parents to Missouri. Ho was educated at Laclede Seminary, Lebanon, Missouri, and at the state normal located at Kirksville. The commercial world held a charm for Mr. McGrew from earliest boyhood. As soon as he felt prepared for the work he took to clerking. This was at Lineville, Iowa. Two years later he moved to North Loup and opened a small grocery store. Soon after this, however, he determined to try farm life, and accordinlgy spent two years on a farm in Valley county, but unfortunately lost his crops by hail. He then came to Ord and worked for some time in the Harris Cloth- BIOGRAPHICAL 291 ing Store, and later for B. C. White. He finally bought the B. C. White stock of general merchandise and did a very good business. But he took the western fever about this time and selling out to Duby Brothers moved to Colorado. The western venture was not a success and Mr. McGrew was glad to get back to the Loup again. He now opened a small grocery at Burwell, investing a capital of $300. A year and a half later the stock was moved to a more commodious structure on the north side of the square, and a line of dry goods added. In 1900 buots and shoes were also put in. Through careful dealing and marked business ability the business grew steadily and warranted Mr. McGrew \s removal to the brick block where he now is. The store building is one of the best in Burwell, well adapted for the display of such fancy goods as are found on the shelves here. Aside from carrying a line of general merchandise, Mr. McGrew carries an excel- lent stock of fine dress goods, the best of its kind in Garfield county. The business which a decade and a half ago started with $800 has now grown to an annual volume of $30,000. Mr. McGrew married Miss Ella M. Simmons at Ord in 1880- They have four children, one girl and three boys, and are nicely situated in their comfortably home in the eastern part of town. " SLY, W. J. — was born in Page countv, Iowa, in September, 1862, where he resided till sixteen years old. He got his education solely in the rural schools and was from boyhood inclined toward the farm After spending three years in Ida county, Iowa, he set out for Nebraska and reached Willow Springs in 1881. His wife was formerly Miss Ida Beck- with. Mr. Sly is the proud father of eleven children who are growing up to become useful members of their home community. The Slys moved in time to the Calamus and for years farmed there. When the county seat difficulties harrowed the county Mr. Sly voted consistently with Burwell. He was elected sheriff as a democrat with populistic tendencies in 1887 and held the office for two terms. He has also been extensively engaged in cattle raising nnd the purchase and sale of all kinds of stock'. He has lately moved to town to give his children better school advantages than could be gotten on the farm. Mr. Sly is at present city marshal. SMITH, ELDON J., M. D.— is a comparatively new man in Burwell, but he is already making a name for himself through his undoubted ability in his profession. He was born at Mechanicsville, Iowa, in 1^79. He received a good early education there and later at South Omaha, graduating from the high school of the lat- ter place in 1895. Like many other young men, when determined to make their own way in the world, he was for some time variously engaged. Thus he worked for some time in the large Ham- mond Packing Co. He next attended commercial college for a year and then became buokkeeper for year was then spent in college work in the Nebraska But his natural bent was the medical profession. an Omaha firm. A Wesleyan University. 292 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP Accordingly he matriculated at the College of Medicine of the University of Nebraska. He attended the full four years and graduated in May, 1904. A month later he passed the strict examination before the state board and immediately thereafter located in Burwell. Dr. Smith makes a specialty of diseases of the eye, nose, ear and throat. His office adjoins the building of the new Burwell Drug Company, of which he is also a member. Scotia. COOPER BROS... BLACKSMITHS AND WAGON MAKERS.— W. T. Cooper was born in Saline county, Nebr., in June, 1871. In 1888 his par- ents moved to Ord where he learned the trade under J. C. Work. In 1892 he came to Scotia and opened his shop. E. A. Cooper has been a partner with his brother from the first but left the shop in 1900. W. J. Cooper is still running the shop and enjoys a big business. DELMONT HOTEL— Jay L. Clark is a native of Illinois but his early life was mostly spent on a farm in Iowa. In the spring of 1884 he came to Nebraska and the next year he came to Scotia. For two years he engaged in the hotel business, retiring to the real estate business in 1887. The next year he engaged in the livery business on the side. This business he still retains and makes a specialty of handling fine horses. In 1900 he built the Delmont Hotel, a twenty-room house, which he is now running. HICKS, M. M., DRUG STORE.— M. M. Hicks was born in Peoria, 111., in 1860. Fourteen years later he came to Adams, Iowa. In 1889 he came to Merna, Nebr., and entered the drug business. In 1896 he came to Scotia, Nebr., and opened his present place of business. Mr. Hicks carries a $2,500 stock and enjoys a good drug business. MCMILLAN, J. S„ REAL ESTATE— Mr. McMillan was born in Port- age county, Wis., May 12, 1866. However, since 1878 he has lived in Sco- tia. In 1893 he engaged in the real estate and loan business. He now has an extensive business in this as well as in other localities. FITZSIMMONS, G. W., LUMBER, IMPLEMENTS AND FURNI- TURE. — Mr. Fitzsimmons was born in Polk county, Iowa, in 1864. From 1885 to 1891 he engaged in the lumber business in various towns in Iowa when he moved to Scotia. At first he had only a lumber business but in 1894 added furniture and implements. From 1891 to 1901 the firm name was Fitzsimmons & Graham and was established in Ord as well as in Sco- tia. Since 1901 Mr. Fitzsimmons has run the business at Scotia alone, and though at first he did but a small business it has rapidly increased to its present large proportions. PICKETT, DR. J. J.— was born in eastern Indiana, February 15, 1850, and there he received his education. While yet a young man he taught school and farmed for eight years, when he began to study medicine. Re- ceiving his degree in 1885, he came to Nebraska the following year and settled in Broken Bow. In 1900 he moved to Central City, and in 1903 again, to Scotia. Though Dr. Pickett has been here but a short time he is rapidly gaining a good practice. BIOGRAPHICAL 293 SCOTIA MEAT MARKET— Fred Sfcanner : the proprietor, was born in Germany in 1861. When 17 years old he came to America and settled in Dubuque, Iowa, where he learned the butcher business. In 1884 he came to Scotia and has ever since been in the meat business. He has a regular meat trade and keeps fresh oysters and fish in season. Mr. Stanner also owns the ice business of the town. He is the oldest butcher in Greeley county. SCOTIA ROLLER MILLS— Dee Vineuore, the proprietor, is purely a Loup country product, being born in Valley county and raised in Valley and Garfield counties. He married Ethel Moorman of Garfield county in De- cember, 1901. He bought the Scotia Roller Mills on August 1, 1904. At that time the mills were in bad shape but after expending several thousand dollars in repairs Mr. Vinecore has things in shape to do high grade mill- ing. The Scotia flour and cereal products are rapidly gaining popularity. VAN SKIKE, J. M., HARNESS SHOP— Mr. Vanskike was born in Bartholomew county, Indiana, in August, 1856. Here he lived till 1877 when he came to Scotia. Here he learned the harness trade under his father, whom he succeeded in 1894. Mr. Vanskike carries a good line of harness and leather goods and enjoys a deservedly good patronage. WEEKES, DR. CHARLES M.— was born at O'Connor, Greeley coun- ty, March 31, 1882. In 1885 his parents came to Scotia. Here he grew to manhood and graduated from the Scotia High School. In 1900 he matricu- lated in the Creighton Medical College at Omaha, graduating in 1904. He has since been practicing in Scotia and though a young man has had re- markable success. WRIGHT, MRS. M. J., GENERAL MERCHANDISE AND HARD- WARE — Mary Bean Wright was born in Wisconsin. Her parents came to Scotia in 1876. In 1883 she married Mr. Ed. Wright. Three years later tbey established their present business. In 1896 Mr. Wright died leaving Mrs. Wright and her two sons to carry on the business. Theirs is one of the largest stores in town. Taylor. SCOTT, GEORGE P. — one of the most consistent and successful busi- ness men in the upper valley is George F. Scott of Taylor. He was born on a farm in Freeborn county, Minnesota, February 12, 1857. As he grew up his inclination for a commercial career manifested itself. He clerked in a store for a while and then attended the Mankato Normal School, rounding off his busi- ness education at the Keokuk Business College. He moved to Furnas county, Nebraka, in 1878. There ^^^- at the small town of Precept, he operated a general Lt ifl store till the fall of 1884. September 21st of that JLM year he opened for business at Taylor, Loup county, under the firm name of Wheeler &_Scott. He soon became sole proprietor 294 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP of the business, however, and owns and operates today an as completely furnished general merchandise store as one may care to see. That Mr. Scott is enterprising, thrifty and liked by all is well demonstrated in the fact that for twenty years has he been postmaster in Taylor, change in national administration having no effect upon his incumbency of office. Mr. Scott is now a man of means. He owns 1,080 acres of good farm lands and is financially interested in the Cash Mercantile Co. of Burwell and uther enterprises. He was married to Delia Farrand December 22, 1885. They have one daughter Aurelia and are comfortably situated in their cozy home in Taylor, set in a veritable park of shrubbery and climbing vines. EMIG, GEORGE P. — druggist and dealer in notions, was born at Columbus, Ohio, December, 25, 1849. Here he was educated and entered into business. Thas he in turn was druggist, dealer in boots and shoes, and tanner. His health failed him in 1879 and upon 1/is physician's advice he moved west. That year he arrived at Ord with his family, consisting of wife — formerly Miss Mary Whiteside— and two children, Emma (King) and Charlie. He spent some three years farming near Ord. A year later he established himself at Taylor, only to again re- turn to Ord to work in the H. A. Walker drug store. In 1886 when there was talk of the Union Pacific tapping Taylor he once more located at Taylor. But dissappointed in this we soon find him back at Ord in his chosen profession. Once more he returned to Taylor, carrying with him stock, building and all. Today he is the only druggist in Taylor and carries an unusually complete stock of drugs and whatever else belongs to a well appointed establishment of this kind. KRIEGEL, JOSEPH — Taylor's successful manufacturer of harness and other leather goods, was born in 1862, at Ras- chen, Austria, He was sent to the excellent schools of his native country, leaving them when fourteen years old to become an apprentice in the manufac- ture of harness, saddles, etc. After mastering the step of journeyman he became master of trade. He now determined to immigrate to the United Statos. Arrived here he stopped first at Osceola, Neb., for some months working at his trade. He then oper- ated a harness shop at Rising City for a short time and came tu Ord March 15, 1885. Here he worked for Frank Misko lor a few months and then moved to Taylor. Mr. Kriegel entered upon business in a small way, investing his total capital of $350 in leather and machinery. He commenced operations in a rented building. Now he owns his store building and has besides a comfortable home in the residence portion of Taylor. He has built up an excellent business, manu- Geo. P. Emig, Daughter and Grandchild. BIOGRAPHICAL 295 facturing almost all his goods at home. Mr. Kriegel was married in 1885 to Miss Mary Wolf and has two children living. RUSHO, JOSEPH — the founder of Taylor, came to Loup county in 1877, and counts himself the eleventh spftler in the county. He was born in Wisconsin, May 23, 1850, and remained in his native state till thirteen years old. After living for some years in Fairbault county, Minnesota, he struck out overland for Ne- braska with his family and belongings. From Sioux City the course was set for Scotia, thence to Fort Hartsuff and later on up the river to the old home- stead on the edge of Taylor where he now dwells. Mr. Rusho is a successful farmer and land owner. But more than this. He is a successful business man, and has for years been a leader in political and .! . , If^J civil affairs in Loup county. He received his edu- Biy mk IB I cation in the common schools of Wisconsin and at the Milton Academy, same state. Mr. Rusho was married October 8, 1872, to Miss Josephine Murry of Delevan, Minnesota, and they are the parents of nine children, eight of whom are living. Two sons, Rusho Brothers, are engaged in the general merchandise business in Taylor and are very successful in their enterprise. MOON, ALANSON S. — county attorney of Loup county, was born in Schuyler county, New York, December 13, 1857. He spent some twenty years of his life in his native state going to school, teaching and farming. He graduated from the well-known Starkey Academy. From New York he removed to Michigan, and in 1877 he again took up the trail and moved on to Loup county. He homesteaded near Kent where he remained till 1889. He studied law at Taylor, doing in absentia work, and was admitted to the bar in 1887. He is a very progressive citizen and has been engaged in several enterprises both public and pri- vate. Thus he has been in the general merchandise and lumber business, been county superintendent and for several terms county attorney. He married Miss Eva Harvey in 1886, and has three children living. MOULTON, JUDGE L. M.— was born in Woodford county, Illinois, November 19, 1839. He graduated from Eureka College in 1800 and was admitted to the bar in Nebraska June 4, 1874. He came to Franklin coun- ty, this state, in 1871, and became one of the founders of Bloomington. Later, in 1883, he moved to Loup county, where he has ever since taken an active part in public life. Mr. Moulton has seen considerable service as a soldier. In 1801 he enlisted in Co. B of the Eleventh Illinois infantry, but was discharged. In 18G4 he again enlisted and served to the end of the war, taking part in the Mobile campaign. Back in Illinoi-s he served for some time as police judge and prosecuting attorney and was judge of Franklin 296 THE TRAIL OF THE LOUP county, Nebr., for two terms. He has also served as judge and attorney of Loup county, for two terms in each office. He is at present county judge by appointment. Mr. Moulton was married to Permeila Clingman of Woodford county, Illinois, in May, 1861. The family is now pleasantly lo- cated in the north part of Taylor where the judge takes pride to show his friends one of the finest fruit orchards on the upper Loup. 1906