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About The Nebraska advertiser. (Nemaha City, Neb.) 18??-1909 | View Entire Issue (March 1, 1907)
Aorton'6 Zlutbcntic, Complete (ConTrlchtetl 1006. All right reserved.) Hy courtesy of Hdltou and Publishers of Morton's History, coin, Nebraska, is permitted its reproduction In paper of their CHAPTER VI CONTINUED (22) Tho following loiter from Acting Govornor Cuming to President Pierce, dated December 13, 1851, llltiHtratoa tho turmoil which thono territorial or ganizers wero plunged: "Denr Sir: "I understand that petitions aro In circulation asking my removal from tho ofllco of governor. Thoso petitions havo hcon propared nnd aro helng dis tributed by speculators whoso for tunes havo been marred by tho loca tion of tho capital. My only request Is that If any charges shall be made I may not bo dealt with without tho opportunity of answering them. "You aro awaro that I havo never Bought my present position; but be ing called to It by the Interposition of Providence I havo not felt at liberty to neglect or postpone tho organiza tion of tho territory. Tho protracted Illness nnd unexpected decease- of tho lamented govornor loft but a short In terval for tho decision of tho vexed questions connected with that organi sation. Ilcnco somo errors may havo been committed; but I especially solicit that my conduct may bo sub jected to tho test of tho most rigid scrutiny. "Great fortunes havo boon Invested In rival points for tho capltol, and the oxasporatlon expressed and desperate persecution resorted to by tho disap pointed nro not unnatural, and wero not unexpected. I am prepared, how over, to prove by lettors and certifi cates thnt I havo refused bribes and relinquished gratuities, and havo lo cated tho capltol whoro my pecuniary Intorosts wore least considered, at n point which I believed would glvo satisfaction to tho pcoplo and sablllty to tho territorial organization. "My enemies expect to havo a gov ornor appointed whom thoy can ln lluenco to veto an act establishing tho capltol at that point. I am writing to you, General, with frankness and con fidence, and I deslro to say that over slnco tho death of Govornor Burt I havo hoped that somoono might bo appointed who would rollevo mo of tho responsibility and risk confronting so many opposite nnd threatening In terests. This has not boon tho caso, and I havo no alternative but to meet tho storm and abide Its results. Should another Individual bo chosen after thoso ombarrassmonts havo been sur mounted tholr unpopularity Incurred I tniBt that his appointment will not bo permitted to bo construed In a con demnation of my course, and shall bo glad (If so requested) to prosent to you facts and certificates to over throw tho allegations of my enemies. "Trusting thnt your administration may contlnuo to bo crowned (as I be llovo It will) with success and tho ap proval of tho people, and that tho strength which It has added to tho ropubllc may bo fortified by tho up rightness nnd efficiency of your of ficers, I remain "Vory truly and sincerely yours, "T. B. CUMING." On tho 9th of January, 1855, another antl-Cumlng convention was hold at Bollovuo which contained at least threo delegates from tho North Platte country, E. R. Doylo of Fontollo, Dr. ,B. Y. Shollcy of Blnckblrd Hills, and 'J. C. Mitchell of Florence. Tho reso lutions of tho convention charged, among other things, that tho acting govornor was a non-resident of tho territory, that his apportionment of representation was unjust, nnd do mnnded that tho census bo taken again nnd that tho territory bo rcdis- trlcted. Mr. Mitchell, who was aftorwards mollified by appointment as solo com missionor to locate tho capltol in Omaha, mado "a very interesting speech." Ho said that thero was not population sufficient in Floronco or in jBurt or Dodge counties to ontltlo thorn 'to designation as an election precinct, and so tho govornor mado it up by causing certificates to bo made up and signed by loafors in Council Bluffs. "Tho officer who took tho census In Dodgo county onrolled num berB in the grog shops of Council Bluffs. Omaha was supplied In tho samo way." On tho other hand, ho said, census officers on tho south sldo of tho Plntto wore required to cut down tholr returns bo that, nothwlth standing thnt this section had tho greater population, tho mnjorlty of tho representatives Bbould bo from tho north side. Rut this precaution or basis for consistency with which Mr. Mitchell credit Cuming seems in consistent with tho facts as well as with our cstlmato of Cuming's char acteristics and our knowledge of his methods, According to tho Nebraska Press of December 1, 1859, tho following somewhat hackneyed story was stll going tho rounds of tho eastern press It is likely that it is a substantia statement of fact, and In any event It is typically true: "Mr. Purple, formerly conductor of tho Westprn railroad am UNION HIST Jan 31 Gal 7 Pasto a momber of the first Nebraska legis lature, tells his oxperienco In western politics as follow: 'Secretary T. B Cuming said to mo one morning: 'Purple, wo want n mombor from Burt county.' So I nnrnosseu up ant took nine fellows with mo from Iowa . and wo started for tho woods, nnc when wo thought wo had got far enoiiKh for Burt county wo unpackee our ballot box, and held an election Yin 'Washington county), ennvnssec! tho vote, and It was astonishing to observe how great was tho unanimity at the first election hold In Burt History of IKlebraeka county.' " Purple hnd every voto and was declared duly elected. Thero wero four delegates for tho ofllco of delegate to congress: Had- oy D. Johnson of Council Bluffs but by proxy of Omaha City who, we uivo seen, had gone across tho river to Bollovuo in 1853, to bo elected pro visional delegato to congress; Bird B. Chapman, just arrived from Elyria, Ohio, In senrch of a political career; Napoleon B. GIddlngs of Savannah, Missouri, who, It is alleged by con temporaries, novor oven protended to ItlzcnBhlp In Nebraska, and Joseph Dyson, who strove to create a wave of public sentiment which should carry him Into tho coveted office by exploit- ng more advantageous land laws. Tho abstract of the voto illustrntes tho early sectional alignment of voters, nnd also the fact that It did no harm to a candidate In our border counties to hall from Ml' t url. To refute tho charge that Judge Kinney was ineligible to the office of elegato to Congress because ho was not a resident of tho territory, the Nebraska City News calls attention to tho fnct that tho organic act re quired only that a delegato should bo a citizen of tho United States. Tho News then makes tho following statement ns to the residence of Chap man and GIddlngs when thoy were candidates for tho office In question: 'Tho 'Oldest inhabitants' of the ter ritory will doubtless recollect that two delegates from this territory had no other qualification. N. B. GIddlngs, tho first delegato, was n citizen of Missouri, and came Into tho territory only about two weeks boforo tho elec tion, and then brought no other prop erty with him except a carpet-bag. Bird B. Chapman, tho second ropro sontatlvo of tho territory, was at tho tlmo of his election a citizen of Ely ria, Ohio. Ho never resided hero at all. As far as citizenship hero was concorned ho hnd none; ho repre sented us entirely on tho strength of being a citizen of tho United States." A contemporaneous account of tho Qulncy colony" tho first name of tho settlement at Fontenelle inciden tally explains the curiously solid voto of Dodgo county for Abnor W. Hollls- tor; nnd nt tho same tlmo Illustrates tho Isolation of tho various early set tlements: "To tho credit of tho Interesting colony their election was carried on without tho aid of Intoxicating drinks nnd honco tho unanimity that pro- vailed. Tho good people of Fontc nolle, not having heard of tho wltlv drawal of Mr. Holllster from tho can vas, voted for him as a representa tive of tho interost which they aro aborlng to secure." Our Puritan editor characterized theso colonists as "enlightened nnd nflucntinl men, and abovo all, men of high moral endowment." Governor Cuming gavo this solid fourteen a representation In tho legislature of one councilman nnd two members of tho house. It mny bo doubted that our censor of the Palladium would mvo mado his certificate of character qulto so swooping after two of tho threo members from Fontenello hnd voted to locate tho capital at Omaha Ho was justified, however, to tho ex tent that J. W. Richardson, tho secro tnry of tho colony, nnd who, wo may assume, was representative of Its pe culiar virtue, voted against Omaha and bo against his section. Tho editor of the first newspaper printed In Nebraska was temporamon tally fitted for fooling that ho carried the full weight of responsibility for tho task of properly laying tho found ations of tho now state. This is shown In his account of the coming and tho pathetic leaving of the first chief magistrate. Tho governor and his party arrived at Bollovuo on tho Cth of October. 'His arrival was unheralded and unostentatious his dress, equipage, manner, and appearance Indicated a disposition to respect thoso fundnmen tal principles of republican simplicity which constitute the groundwork strength and beauty of our political and social system. Tho govornor Is apparently nearly fifty years of age a little abovo tho medium height, wol proportioned, simple and easy In his mnnnors and expression. His conn tenanco indicates tho possession of thoso peculiar traits of character needed to secure tho confidence and respect of tho people who come to build up the institutions of liberty, harmony and Christianity upon this virgin soil, for so many ages past held In undisputed possession by its aboriglnnl owners tho children of tho forest. "Tho governor was hospitably en tortnlned by I. II. Bonnet, esq., of this place. Tho govornor took lodgings at tho office of tho Indian agency.' Tho fnct that tho ontortalner of tho govornor of tho commonwealth was tho blacksmith of tho Omaha agency must havo satisfied tho editor's exact lng democracy. A mooting of citizens, of which Georgo W. Holllster was chairman ant1 Stephen Docatur secretary, was con vonod, nnd Lieut. Hiram P. Downs Isnlah H. Bennot, and Stephen Do catur wore appointed a commlttoo to tender tho governor a hearty welcome Tho commlttoo soon reported that tho govornor would bo pleased to moet his friends on tho following Monday, At tho second mooting, on Monday, Abnor W. Holllster reported thnt tho governor wns too 111 to attend, whore upon Col. Joseph L. Sharp, "of Iowa. Hiram P. Bennot, also "of Iowa,' tho Publishers Newspaper Union of Lin- Issue tov. William Hamilton, and MaJ. Goorge Hopner mndo appropriate peeches. The samo issue of tho Palladium gives this information: Tho governor reached Belloviow n an enfeebled condition, . . . his complaint being a derangement of tho bilious system. After his arrival nis complaint continued to increaso In malignancy, until it wns thought ad vlsablo to call for medical aid. Ac cordingly a messenger waB dispatched to Messrs. McMahon & Williams, of Bluff Cltv. who immediately sent Dr. A. B. Malcolm, nn accomplished phy sician, connected with them In his profession. . . Tho governor Is now convalescent and it is hoped will soon recover from his prostration." On the 18th of October the Palla dium announces that "the governor was slowly recovering from his pros tration until the 12th Instant when from Improper annoyance from visit ors, and perhaps unnecessary expo sure of himself while In his enfeebled condition, his fever returned with nn nspect sufficiently threatening to make t necessary to send for his physi cian." The public is assured that 'the govornor Is comfortably situated at tho Otoo and Omaha mission." On tho 25th of October tho Palladium. gives an account of tho governor's funeral. After the singing of an ap propriate hymn Secretary Cuming, evidently under tho deepest emo tions of grief," mnde some appropri ate remarks, and he was followed by Chief Justice Ferguson and Rev. Wll- iam Hamilton, who conducted the services. On the 20th an escort started with tho body "for burial at tho family residence In South Caro- Ina." Thus wero completed the prelim narles for lodging local civil govern ment In a vast and unexplored region, upon a soil that had been untested by tillage, and In a climate untried as to , healthfulncss through permanent occupancy by civilized man. And now In the crucible of these condi tions tho courage and constructive capacity of the pioneers are to be put to test, and though never so se vere it is not to find them wanting. Many, or most of them, had surren dered good homes and tho associa tions and endearments of kindred and friends in other communities. Tho privations of frontier life wero volun tarily sought only by men and women who had tho courage, spirit and am bition to glvo up agreeable environ ments In an old home for tho purpose of founding a new one. From the days of the colonies in Virginia, New England and New York, tho host types of mankind, physically and mentally, and tho strongest Individuals of thoso types thoso gifted with self-reliance nnd inspired by the spirit of self-denial havo penetrated new countries and opened them to tho institutions of civilization. Tho dependent, the habitually gregarious, never strike out from parents, kindred and the comfortnblo circumstances of settled social llfo to challenge tho hardships of tho wildorness. Only that clvlllza Hon and thoso breeds of men capable of developing strong individuality and solf-rellanco can establish and main tain settlements remote from popu- latlonal centers. Self-reliance, self- control nnd stability among savages aro merely sporadic; consequently wo find no traces of voluntary migrations for establishing permanent sovereign ty nnd settlements by the Indians who nreceded us upon these plains. The strong characteristic of the pioneer Is his ambition and zealous, enthusiastic work for tomorrow, his willingness cheerfully to endure hardships In tho present that others may enjoy con Biimmato satisfactions In future satisfactions which ho himself may never experience. There wero genu ino heroeB among the openers and testers of the vast crust of soil which stretched from tho river to tho moun tains. Thoy worked tirelessly, with intelligence and directness, to dem onstrate the value of us constant productivity. Already the great ma lorltv of that peaceful and heroic band who first planted theso prairies havo folded their tired arms and lain down to everlasting rest. Tho story of their humblo lives, their useful la bors, their sacrifices and their achieve' ments has perished with their gen- eratlon. and will not bo told. As their cabins havo been replaced by tho mansions of followers, and tho smoko of their chimneys has faded away into unknown skies, so have thoy gone from Bight and romom brance. But their successes, achloved in that primitive and frugal Past, aro tho foundations or all tho industrial and commercial superstructures which our Present proudly enjoys. As wo walk tho streets of a thronged me tropolls wo look In wonder and with ndmlratlon upon tho splendid trl umphs of modern architecture. Mag niflccnt pnlaces of Industry, roachlng into the clouds and embellished with nil tho symmetry nnd grace which skill and tnsto can evolve, attract and ontranco tho eyo. But wo seldom glvo a moment's thought to tho broad and strong foundations laid and hidden deep in tho earth, which, with un- qunking and stupendous strength, up lift nnd sustain all. The citizen of this prosperous commonwealth today beholds tho superstructure of a state, but very Infrequently aro tho found ore nnd tho foundations upon which It is orocted ever brought to mind TO BE CONTINUED A Woman's Work. Perhaps no one understands not tho wife or mother herself what a many- ilded life tho stay-at-home woman's Is, jays tho Philadelphia Bulletin, and low important it is that she should ba able to meet all her dally require ments. She who Is an at-homo woman lolds mort positions nnd transacts moro busings than many a man dur- ng her busy day. Sho must be a financier, and know o n cent tho expenditure of her little lousehold, or that part of tho machin ery will bo out of gear when settling up day nrrlves. Sho must be both u udge and Jury, capable of settling nil tho differences In her small household, of adjusting matters, and of malntaln- ng peaco. Often It Is necessary sho should be n capable designer and dressmaker, able to cut down and fit her own and her nisband'B old clothes for tho little ones. She also has to ho a preacher and schoolmistress to her young brood, tcnchlng them manners and rcligi in, watching the development of their young minds. One of her greatest duties Is that of queen and helpmate. Sho must, if suc cess Is to be hers, throw herself heart and soul Into her husband's Interests share his fears, divide his responsibili ties and multiply his Joys. Knowing that being a wife nnd mother means all this, there are yet some girls and women who sneer nt and pity the ones who have chosen to do this work, which they undertook when they pledged their mnrrinee vows, and to do it to the best of their ability. Instead of sneering It would be wiser If each would-be bride were to serl ously ask herself whether she Is cap able of carrying out all the various po sitions which in course of tlmo will probably fall to her lot. It is true nobility, worthy of tho highest admiration when a mistress of a household strives to faithfully and cheerfully discharge ah trie various and petty tasks which from day to day face her. No newspapers will ring with her famous acts, with tho great work she Is doing, but those In her own circle her husband, children, parents and friends "will rise up and call her blessed," and "she will rejoice in time to como." Wives and mothers should ever re member that tho best work Is not done in the center of a larco stacp. nvnr which rolls the note of public appro bation and applause, but In a quiet lit tle place, unseen and unnoticed except by those around us. Of sill the careers, professions, em ploynionts and work open to women there is none which gathers such a harvest of love as that of the house wife be she wife, mother or sister. A Remarkable Voice. Miss Bertha Bird, who has been do lighting London and provincial audi ences with her marvelously fine voice, has won for herself tho roputation of being able to sing the highest top note In the world. Her volco has an extra ordinary compass five Cs, nearly two octaves higher than that of the aver ago soprano, the upper notes more over being of a pure flute-like timbre quite electrifying In effect. Operatic excerpts which in thetr original key are beyond the attainment of almost any living singer Miss EIrd can sing ns written, thus giving them the de sired brllllnncy and excitation. Miss Bird Is a native ot Melbourne, Vlctorlu, and showed remarkable musi cal ability at an early age. She mado her first appearance In the Melbourne town hall on March 11, 1899, and Im mediately achieved conspicuous sue cess, the critics comparing her voice to Jenny Llnd's and to that of her fel low countrywoman, Mme. Melba. Sho then toured Australia with great sue cess and mHuo her first appearance In England In 1901. Slnco then Miss Bin; has almost invariably been the pre mier at every entertainment where Bh'o has assisted. Philadelphia Record. Rented Houses Tho highest percentage of rente houses in Nie United States Is found in Washington, D. C, says the New York Sun. Three-fourths of tho prl vato families In that city llvo in rent ed homes. Next to tho District of Co lumbla tho State with the largest per centago of rented homes Is Rhodo Isl and, and after that South Carolina. The Southern States all rank high renters becaueo of the negroes. The smallest percentage of rented hemes found In North Dakota, South Dakota and Oklahoma. Willie Geo! I can't understand dat baby talk dey're givln' me, and here I thought I was going ter learn do game of makln' love. Little Points of Table Etiquette. "I havo been Invited to Mrs. Brown's to dinner. They are such nice people and I nm so afraid I will not act right at the table that I almost hato to go." This Is what I heard a girl say the other day, says a writer In tho Wash- ngton Times. If she had "acted right"" every day and at every meal at home, she doubtless would not feel this way. However, perhaps, If she will read carefully what Is given here sho may manage to get through tho dinner without horrifying Mrs. Brown: The spoon should never be In the- cup while drinking, but should bo loft n the saucer. It should be used In eat ing fruit salads, small and largo frultv when served with cream, puddings, Jel lies and preserves. Apples should be pared, cut Into small pieces and eaten with the flngere. Cake is broken into pieces the size of a mouthful and eaten with a fork or with tho fingers. Celery should be eaten with the fin gers. , - Cheese should first bO' cut'fnto smalt pieces, then placed on pieces of bread or cracker and lifted to the mouth with- the fingers. The fingers should be dipped in the- water and gently rubbed together, and' dried on the napkins, when the finsw bowl is passed. All raw fruit except meloas, berries: and grapefruit is eaten with the' fingers. Canned fruits should bo oaten with a spoon. The knife is always hetd In tho right. hand, and is only used foi- cutting the food. The fork should bo usod in eat ing meat, fish, vegetables, Ices, melons,. salads, oysters and clams. The knife should never bo used te carry the food to the mouth. When lbs use, napkins aro laid on the lap, aad when finished are not folded up unlMfr. one is the guest for a day or two, but are laid on the table unfolded. Olives are eaten with the fingers. When oranges are served in divide' sections, sweetened and tho seeds re moved, they should bo eaten with the fork. If served whole, cut into suitable- portions. Pears are eaten with the fork. Salted nuts are eaten with tho fing ers. Soup should bo taken from tho side of the spoon without noise and with out tho plate being tipped. Always eat with the mouth closed' and do not take too much in the moutfr at a time. At an informal dinner a second help ing is perfectly proper. Did He Wipe His Feet? A Massachusetts man tells a storv illustrating the ruling spirit of a Yan kee housewife, says the New York. Times. Late ono night her Husband waa awakened by mysterious noises on the lower floor of their house. Jumpinr out of bed, the husband took his re volver from a drawer and crept noise lessly to tho head of tho stairs. Pre sently the wife herself was awakened by a loud report, followed by a mad scurrying of feet. Much agitated sho in turn sprang from bed and went to the door, where she met her husband returning from tho scene of tho dis turbance and wearing a very disap pointed expression. "Richerd," she stammered, "was lt--was It " "Yes, it was a Burglar." "Did ho did he" "Yes, ho got away." "Oh, I don't caro about that," was tho wife's rejoinder. "What I want to know is, did he wipe his feot be fore he started upstairs?" William Smith, of Arlington, Maw., is considered the oldest newspaper writer in tho world. He Is at proient 98 and continues to employ his pon. Kt was the veteran among the newspaper men at the World's Press Parllameat held In St Louis in 1905.