Heir. State Historical Society j
outn
VOL. NO. XLVH
PLATTSHOUTII, PTT.TlAr.TrA. THURSDAY. SEPT. 17, 1931.
NO. 66
Funeral of
Vm. Hunter is
Held Sunday
Friends From the Community and
Omaha Gather to Fay Honor to
Memory of Good Han
The funeral services of the late
William Hunter were held on Sun
day afternoon at 3 o'clock from the
home on North Eighth street and
very largely attended by the old time
friends with whom he had been as
sociated for the past thirty years
The services were conducted by the
Rev. II. G. McClusky, pastor of the
First Presbyterian church of which
Mr. Hunter had long been a very
active member. During the services
the Rotary male quartet composed
of Frank Cloidt, R. W. Knorr, L. D.
Hiatt and H. G. McClusky, gave two
of the old and loved hymns. "Now
the Day Is Over," and "Still. Still
With Thee."
During the service Rev. McClusky
read the beautiful poem, "Seeds" by
John Oxen ham, as part of the ser
vice, the poem appearing below:
What shall we be like when
We cast this earthly body and
attain
To immortality?
What shall we be like then?
Ah. who shall say
What vast expansions shall be
ours that day?
What transformations of this
house of clay,
To fit the heavenly mansions
and the light of day
- Ah, who shall say?
But this we know
We drop a seed into the ground.
A tiny shapeless thing, shirvel-
ed and dry.
And in the fulness of its time,
is seen
A form of peerless beauty,
robed and crowned
Beyond the pride of any earth
ly queen.
Instinct of lovliness, and sweet
and rare
The perfect emblem of' Its"
maker's care.
- This form, a shriveled seed?
Then may man hope indeed.
For man Is but the seed of
what he shall be.
When, in the fullness of his
perfecting.
He drops the husk and cleaves
his upward way.
Through earth's retardings
and the clinging clay
Into the sunshine of God's
perfect day.
No fetters then, no bonds of
time or space
But powers as simple as the
boundless grace
That suffered man, and passed
Himself before
As he had promised to pre
pare a place.
Yea. we may hope;
For we are seeds, .
Dropped into the earth for
heavenly blossoming.
Perchance when comes the
time of harvesting.
His loving care
May find some use for even
a humble tare.
We know not what we shall
be only this
That we shall be made like
Him as He is.
The interment was at Oak Hill
cemetery and the pall bearers were
the nephews of the departed, they
being Arthur Hild. Henry Hild. How
ard Philpot. Harry Knabe, Clarence
Hansen and John Hansen.
The floral tributes were very beau
tiful and attested the feeling of af
fection held in the community for
the departed.
Those who attended the services
from out of the city were: Charles
Ortman, Omaha; Mrs. R. W. Rapp,
Waterloo; Mrs. Julia Barrett, Omaha;
Charles and Bert Philpot and Lee
Brown of Weeping Water; Mr. and
Mrs. W. W. Rapp, Omaha; Miss
Irene Philpot, Omaha; Mr. and Mrs.
Walter Wunderlich, Nehawka.
MOVING TO THIS CITY
Mrs. Elizabeth Streight and
daughter, Mrs. Margaret Jackson,
who have been residing at Omaha,
are moving to this city where they
will make their home at the resi
dence of their son and brother, Wil
liam J. Streight. Mr. and Mrs. Spier,
the latter a daughter of Mr. Streight
have been making their home here
for the past few years but are now
moving to Lincoln and Mrs. Streight
and Mrs. Streight and Mrs. Jackson
will now come here to keep the home
for Mr. Streight.
RETURNS TO IOWA
From Tuesday's Dtnr
Mrs. C. E. Hartford. Jr.. and
daughter. Evelyn, art? leaving; for
Ames today to meet Charles, who
has been supervising research work
for the Maizewood Company the past
two weeks. They will drive to their
home in Dubuque Thursday, where
Charles is employed as manager of
the Maizewood factory.
While in Ames, Charles received
his Ph. D. degree in Chemieal En
gineering. Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Hart
ford and Mrs. C. E. Hartford, Jr.,
attended the exercises.
UNDERGOES OPERATION
Edward Yelick of this city, was
suddenly taken ill Sunday afternoon
while in Omaha and an examination
by a physician disclosed that the
young man was suffering from a
very acute attack of appendicitis. He
was taken at once to the Methodist
hospital and where an operation was
performed at 10 o clock last night
The patient came through the ordeal
nicely and while it will be several
days before he is definitely out of the1
effects of the illness and the opera
tion, he is doing just as well as the
circumstances will permit. The many
friends trust that he may soon be on
the highway to recovery and able
to resume his usual activities.
Aged Man is
Slugged; Hurled
from Train
J. H. Claxk, 62, Victim of Attack of
"Boes" on Burlington Train
; North of City.
from Monday's Daily -
This morning at 7:30 a man with
clothing torn and blood flowing from
a deep cut on his head, appeared at
the local Burlington etation with
the story of robbery and assault at
the hands of a group of hoboes with
which he was in company, as well
as telling of being hurled from a
freight train on the Burlington
northwest of this city.
The man gave the name of J. H.
Clark, his age as 62, and stated that
he had been working near Red Oak,
Iowa. He had started to bum rides
west on the railroad and this morn
ing at an early hour had gotten on
a west bound Burlington freight at
Pacific Junction and into a car with a
number of other men seeking to steal
a ride.
When the train was getting under
way the other men in the car learn
ed that Clark had some money on
him, $24 representing the posses
sion of the aged man. As the train
came through this city the men start
ed the attack on Clark, robbing him
of his "roll" and when just west of
Swallow Hill' the gang threw Clark
from the moving train despite his
pleas and struggles.
Clark in alighting struck his
shoulder which was badly fractured
and he fell unconscious by the side
of the track, this being about 4:30
and it was not until some hours later
that he recovered sufficiently to walk
on Into this city to secure assistance.
The injured man was turned over
to Chief of Police Elliott and the
county officers notified and the man
taken to the office of Dr. O. C. Hud
son, where the wound on the head
was dressed and the fracture of the
shoulder temporarily treated and the
man sent on to Omaha to be treated
at the University hospital and to set
the broken shoulder. The injured
man was taken to Omaha by Deputy
Sheriff Rex Young and Constable
Tom Svoboda.
TO ATTEND IOWA STATE
From Tuesday's Dally
This afternoon Mr. and Mrs. C. E.
Hartford motored to Ames, Iowa,
where their youngest son, Robert L.
Hartford, is to enter the Iowa State
college at that place for the fall and
winter term. The entry of Robert at
Iowa State marks the fourth of his
family to select that institution as
the place of education, Charles, Jr.,
Willis and Joseph Hartford, his bro
thers all having attended school
there and where Joe is now a sopho
more, the two older brothers having
graduated and now have excellent
positions.
The many friends here will miss
"Bob" a great deal as he has been
active in the school and social life
of the community since his young
boyhood. In his high school career
he has been outstanding in bis ath
letic work in the football and basket
ball teams and served as the captain
of the football team In 1930. He has
ranked high in his studies and was
named as one of the local members
of the National Scholastic Athletic
society.
In his departure Bob takes the best
wishes of the many friends here for
a successful career at Iowa state.
TO ATTEND CONVENTION
Mrs. J. S. Livingston departed Sat
urday evening for Denver where she
will spend some time attending the
general convention of the Protestant
Episcopal church. Mrs. Livingston
will represent the local church and
the Nebraska women's 'auxiliary at
the meeting. The convention will
bring all of the bishops and notable
figures in the church to the Colo
rado city for the meeting and will
be one of the outstanding religious
gatherings of the county.
CARD OF THANKS
We wish to extend to the friends
and neighbors our most heartfelt ap
preciation of the many acts of kind
ness shown to us in our bereavement,
for the expressions of sympathy and
for the beautiful floral offerings at
the funeral service. Mrs. William
Hunter, Miss Helen Hunter, Mr. and
Mrs. Karl Brewer. Mr. and Mrs. Wal
lace J. Hunter, Mr. and Mrs. Ster
ling Ingwerson.
Inquest in Pat
terson Death Con
tinued to ISih
Evidence Presented as to. Visitors at
Store, Time of Cars Passing
and as to Fears.
Prom Wednesdays Dally
This morning the inquest into the
death of Fred Patterson, county sur
veyor, who was found dead in his
store at Rock Bluffs, Sunday, was
taken up. The inquest was held at
the district court room and attended
by a very large number of the resi
dents of the community where the
murdered man had lived his lifetime
and where he had been killed.
The inquiry was conducted by
County Attorney W. G. Kieck, as the
acting coroner.
The jury that received the evidence
was composed of W. H. Puis, W. M.
Barclay, Howard Davis, J. P. Mei
singer, J. W. Crabill and B. G. Wurl.
The testimony in part as given by
the witnesses in the case was as fol
lows: Robert Patterson, son of deceased
Had seen father Saturday night at
store, around 8:30. Mark Furlong
and father, talking on steps. Wit
ness had stayed until 9:45. Outside
of store most of time until ten min
utes before leaving, talked a few
minutes. Furlong remained outside.
Traveled west from the store. Had
seen Furlong once before in day time.
On way from store passed Will
Hutchison, who was coming east
Passed a second car. Walter Furlong.
had said witness had passed him. Had
lived in Rock Bluffs all of life, lived
on W. D. Wheeler place. Father had
never told of being in fear of life.
Father was cautious. Father had
said was suspicious of the - person
who killed Mrs. Shera. One light
switch was by front door, lights for
store at northwest near bed room
door. Had been called Sunday morn
ing, body looked as tho father had
started to make turn back, of coun
ter. Was lying on face on floor, shot
in back of head. Sheriff Reed. Rex
Young, Chase Patterson and . Joe
Shera there,' nothing had , been dis
turbed. -,-, ,.: ",- - .
Mrs. Robert Patterson Was at
Patterson store. Furlong at store
when arrived. Had asked Mr. Pat
terson about telephoning. Father
had turned on light. Patterson had
asked them to stay a while. Light
was Delco. Kitchen was north of
store room. Patterson had not turn
ed out light in kitchen. Furlong
and Patterson were at gas pump
when left there. Had not looked
back. Drove west and met Will
Hutchison and Walter Furlong cars.
Had seen another car near Sans
place.
Walter Furlong Resided south of
Rock Bluffs, father-in-law and moth
er-in-law resided with them. Had
been at Murray and Beaching home
wife had prepared lunch and said
that it was 10:10, wife, mother-in
law and sister-in-law with him. Had
not noticed any light when passing
store. Had not met anyone walking
along road. No other short cut, road
was only way to travel. After 11
o'clock three cars had passed his
farm going south, one north. Thought
would take five minutes to walk from
store to his place. Learned of death
when returning from chores on Is
land, about 10 o'clock Sunday. Pat
terson had said that he was afraid he
might be robbed. Sure no light on
gas tank when passed there Satur
day. Father-in-law was John Ship
ley.
Mrs. Walter Furlong Was In
Murray Saturday night, had noticed
clock at home was 10 minutes after
ten. Had passed no other cars or
anyone walking. Had not noticed
any light at store, sure there was
none at pump. Weeds too high to see
front of store, only roof. Traded at
store frequently. Anyone walking
would have to cross bridge.
Mrs. John Shipley Had passed
one car on way home, did not know
who it was, saw no one walking
along road. Night clear but dark.
Had not noticed any light in store.
Some of family had sad it was ten
o'clock. Lived In Rock Bluffs since
March 1st.
John Shipley Lived with Walter
Furlong, was sitting on north porch
of home, could see light on gas tank.
Saw light go out, family had arrived
about 30 minutes later, but was not
sure. Had heard some one come along
road before car came home. .Eyes
could not see any dim light. Sons
were on porch and asleep. Clock in
house was slow. Ernest Shipley had
said was 9:30 when he laid down
on porch.
Rex Young deputy sheriff Had
known Fred Patterson in lifetime.
From where Patterson and Furlong
car met to store took one and a half
minutes to reach store. Took eight
minutes to reach store. Took five
minutes to walk to Furlong place,
one minute to drive from store to
Furlong place. Roads In present
good condition when tests made.
Called to Patterson store at 9 a. m.
Sunday. When reached there Joe
Shera met them at door. Only one
way to get around counter, that at
north end. Had found body on floor
at northwest corner of Counter.
Wound was powder burned, hair
some powder burned. Had found that
there was nothing gone, 144.80 In
change and checks In till. Joe Shera,
Fred Hull and Frank Smfith had.
gone in before arrival. Some $30 in
money, found, other checks.
Mark Furlong Was 59 years of
age, lived there all of life. Was at
store Saturday, Chase Patterson, Rob
ert Patterson and wife had come
there at 8:30, Chase was there then.
had visited for a time, then Patter
son had gone home. Witness had
walked to and from store to home,
had taken ten minates to walk home.
Did not know when he left store,
about 10 o'clock. Had not met or
passed any cars; hot very dark. Did
not go to store often, had gone to
store to see about' a load of corn.
Had worn blue shirt and overalls
Had bought goods at Patterson store
at different times. Fred Patterson
had locked oil pump, pump was thir
ty or forty feet south of store.. Had
seen button and supposed was for
lights. Had not seen Walter. Lived
alone at present, son . was away at
this time. Had seen gun under pil
low. Young had taken it out. Had
shot gun and rifle at home belonging
to son, no revolvers as knew of. Had
large flashlight with him, was stand
ing in front when Robert had left.
Fred was talking aboot oil pump and
had said was going1 to town next day
to see company aboal pump not work
ing well. Had cdTftinued to stand
by pump for five Or seven minutes
after Robert Patterson left. Had
talked about Shera murder several
years ago. Fred had suspicion of
party who had committed deed. Had
heard of officers tracking horse at
Shera murder, near Graves place.
Witness had no opinion on matter.
Patterson had not, talked much to
him about murder. Patterson was
standing on steps by oil station when
he saw him last. When witness was
turning corner saw car stop just west
of gas tank. Store still lighted when
he left. Some people on porch of
Walter's home when he passd. Did
not know that Patterson was fearful
of being robbed or that he feared for
his life. First heard of murder Sun
day morning about -19. Had reached
home about 10 p. m. Saturday. Sur
prised when heard of the shooting of
Patterson. Had thought suspicions
might be directed to him. Questioned
as to whether he was first man to see
Patterson dead, denied it. The horse
tracked In Shera case was his horse,
children had used l; to get apples.
Horse found at his home. '
Chase Patterson Had been at
(father's store at 8:30 Saturday. Mark
Fur Ions was at atore.-Furlong' bad
talked about horses, Furlong had on
blue shirt and overalls. Lived north
west from store. Had seen no cars
pass place, only thru road from Rock
Bluffs 'to PlattsmoutBc
Jean Hull, 10 Had gone to store
about 10 a. m. Sunday, Knocked on
door, failed to respond and looked
in to see Patterson on floor. Had ran
to home of Mrs. Joe Shera and re
ported matter.
Joe Shera Son-in-law of Fred
Patterson and grandson of Mrs. An
nette Shera. fisherman, also helped
in surveying work. Patterson had
suspicion of Shera case, was out
spoken, did not know of offending
anyone by talk. Was at store at
7:45, had pulled up and secured gas
and wife and h had stayed for few
minutes. No lights when returned
home, lived near store, was at store
about 10 a. m. Sunday. - Nothing was
missing, he had helped at store at
different times. Patterson usually
closed store at 9 p. m., but if relatives
there would stay open later. Patter
son had acted nervous for past week.
Patterson would not respond to calls
at night, would not let strangers in
store late at night. At night would
let strangers in but made them go
ahead of him. Patterson had a re
volver and corn knife. From store to
Walter Furlong place in 1 minute
and 15 seconds, walking.
Frank Smith Stayed at Rock
Bluffs, called to store Sunday by Mrs.
Joe Shera. who had given Mm key,
and went to store, saw Paterson lying
on floor, walked in and saw blood.
Had gone out and told daughter who
had asked to try and help him.
Fred Hull Lived at home in Rock
Bluffs, had unlocked door and saw
body on floor, laying face down. Had
stopped Mrs. Shera from coming in.
Witness had been in Plattsmouth
Saturday night.
William Hutchison Had passed
Robert Patterson and wife near Rock
Creek bridge, crossed bridge and
turned north to home. Did not know
condition of road east of store. Did
not ntice any light at store. Reach
ed home about 10 or few. minutes
after.
Sam Henderson Lived on Smith
place at Rock Bluffs north and west
of store. Was home Saturday and
heard shot about 10 o'clock, came
from southeast of his place, could not
determine just whether gun or re
volver, was lying on bed with head
in window sill.
At the close of the testimony the
Jury retired and deliberated from
11:30 to 12:15 to adjourn and post
pone the final hearing of the case on
Saturday morning when' it is hoped
that other evidence might be reveal
ed as to the slayer.
211:03 PLANE FROM ST. JOSEPH
From Monday Dany .
Charles Conn of Sheridan. Wyom
ing, was here Sunday to visit with
his brother, Byron Cohn of the New
Way Castle, making the trip to this
city from St. Joseph. Missouri, via
airplane and en route home. Mr.
Cohn. who Is a pilot at the Sheridan
airport, eame east to secure the plane
at St. Joseph and is now flying back
to the Wyoming city. The visit was
much enjoyed by the two brothers
and the aviator took Off yesterday for
tne journey to tne .west.
Graves Family
Holds a Reunion,
at Rock Bluffs
Form Association for the Conduct of
the Future Family Gather
ings of Large Family
The members of the Graves fam
ily, one of the pioneer groups of the
county, met Sunday at the home of
A. Shered Graves, who resides at the
old river town of Rock Bluffs, the
location where the pioneer members
of the family settled at a nearly day.
Amid the pleasant settings of the
home there gathered a large number
of the members of the family from
Cass, Sarpy and Nemaha counties, to
renew their associations in the fam
ily gathering.
The dinner party was held in the
late afternoon where all of the good
things that had been provided were
spread on the tables and a real feast
was participated in by the members
of the party and the event was one
that will long be very pleasantly re
membered.
The members of the family joined
in the forming of a "Graves Family
Association," to hold the annual re
union. of the Graves family and rela
tives, the officers named being: Pres
ident, Howard Graves, Plattsmouth:
Vice President, Charles L. Graves,
Plattsmouth: Secretary, Alvin Graves,
Omaha; Treasurer, Andy Graves,
Bellevue.
The remainder of the day was
spent in enjoying the music of the
family orchestra and in the visiting
among the members of the family
circle until the hour for the home
going.
Those in attendance were: Mrs.
Bessie Nichols, Mr. and Mrs. Maurice
Lacy. Alvin Graves. Robert Lacy. Mr.
and Mrs. V. R. Clark, Lon A. Lacy,
LaVerne Clark, Harold Kirchoff,
Forrest Graves, of Omaha; Mr. and
Mrs. Howard Graves, Mrs. Mary Bur
nett, Maxine Graves, Miss Helen
Reed, Chas. L. Graves, Miss Louise
Rummel, Clyde H. Graves, Mr. and
Mrs. Carl B., Graves of Platts
mouth; Mr. and Mrs. H. D. Royal of
Lincoln; Mr. and Mrs. Andy Graves,
of - Bellevue; Mrs. Geo. Graves, Ed
ward Graves, Miss Jessie 1 Graves,
Geo. M. Graves, of Peru; Mr. and
Mrs. Geo. S. Ray, George Thompson,
of Murray; Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Graves,
Perry I. Graves of Rock Bluffs.
MANLET TAKES GAME
The Manley baseball team Sunday
took the long end of a 12 to 10 con
test from the Plattsmouth Merchants
team, leading from the second inning
with comparative easy going until
in the ninth frame when the locals
threatened the lead of the visitors,
but the locals failed of the necessary
number to win the contest, but giv
ing the ticket holders a real thrill.
In the opening inning both teams
tallied three runs, Livingston and
Connors both being bit lively, but
the hurling of Jess Livingston after
this frame tightened up and the Man
ley team hit Connors hard, while
many of the hard hit balls were at
tempted to be fielded by the locals
they were too hot to handle and
earned errors in the bobbles occa-
eioned.
Lrttle was the batting star of the'tiary during the day to gain infor
visitors with a home run and two
singles out of five trips to the plate
while Tommy Snipes secured two
doubles at the expense of the locals.
Kenneth Poisall, shortstop of the lo
cals electrified the fans with a home
run with the sacks loaded to give
promise of a possible victory. In the
ninth inning Richard Herold reliev
ed Connors to hold Manley but the
damage was too much to be repair
ed.
The eighth inning was the undo
ing of the locals when four runs
came over the plate for. the Manley
team, four hits, an error and a walk
telling the story.
The tabulated score of the game
was- as follows.:
Plattsmouth
A6 H PO A V.
Pt. Herold. c 5 18 2 0
Swanson. lb 5 0 7 0 0
Pd. Herold. 3b 3 12 11
R. Herold, If 4 2 2 0 0
Poisall. ss 5 2 2 1 4
Hall, rf 5 4 0 0 0
Spidell, cf 6 2 3 0 0
McCleary, 2b 5 0.31 1
Connors, p 6 1, 0 4 0
43 13 27 9 6
" Manley
AB II PO A E
Snavely, 2b 6 12 3 1
C. Livingston, ss 6 0 4 1 0
Little, 3b 6 3 2 0 0
Snipes, lb 5 2 7 1 0
Spidell, c . 4 2 7 0 0
J. Livingston, p 5 3 111
R. Livingston, If 5 2 3 0 0
Ottle. cf 5 110 0
Lohnes. rt 1 0 0 0 0
Sheehan, rf . 3 10 0 0
46 15 27 6 2
DEFEATS OMAHA SHOPMEN
The Lyman-Richey Sand St Gravel
Co.. baseball team yesterday after
noon defeated the Union Pacific
Shopmen at the sand pit park by the
score of 13 to 10. The game was a
fast one that was featured with much
hitting by both teams but in the con
test the- locals .proved the' winners.
LEAVE FOR IOWA
From Tuesday" Daily
This afternoon the members of the
Masonic quartet, Frank A. Cloidt, H.
G. McClusky, R. W. Knorr and Ray
mond Cook, departed for Villisca.
Iowa, where the quartet' will sing at
the banquet of the Chamber of Com-!
merce of that place and later at the'
Masonic lodge meeting. Robert Fos-,
ter Patterson of this city is also with
the party and will be the main speak -
er at the banquet and also at the
aiasonic meeting laier in ne evening.
The Masonic meeting will be attend-
ed by representatives from the lodges
, . . - . m .f.-.
ai larmua. xw:u ua uuu uiuei ui-
uy towns ui iiusta.
Former Sheriff
Doubts Story
of Patterson
C. D. Quinton, Who Handled Shera
Case, Recalls Incidents at
Lincoln Home.
Mysterious circumstances sur
rounding the killing of Mrs. Annette
Shera. Aug. 25, 1910. were recalled
Tuesday by C. D. Quinton, 737 Mar -
shall avenue, Lincoln, former sheriff
of Cass county and now a guard
at the state penitentiary, says the
Lincoln State Journal.
Mrs. Shera was described by Quin
ton as a fine woman, well respected
in her community. "The day before
she was to leave for Omaha," he said,
"she drew a considerable sum of
money out of the bank. That was
the last seen of her until she was
found shot thru the back of the head
with a revolver."
The former sheriff said that Mrs.
Shera carried at all times a hand
bag containing family heirlooms
which she refused to entrust to the
bank for safekeeping. The heirlooms
were never found after the crime and
their mysterious disappearance was
never accounted for.
Mrs. Shera had no known enemies.
Quinton declared, and was the moth
er of a fine family.
VI don't- think, much of the coat
story of Patterson's," said the former
sheriff. "If he had the coal 'of Tier
slayer locked up In his vault at the
surveyor s office it is peculiar Indeed
that he never revealed the fact to
me or other officers after all the
time they spent on the case."
Quinton said that his office was
in the same building with Patterson
and he saw him every day for years.
"He was quite talkative." Quinton
said. "I wouldn't be a bit surprised
but that this trait was the cause of
his death."
While Cass county officers con
tinue their investigation of the mys
terious shooting of Patterson, state
officers are endeavoring to follow a
few minor clues that may lead to
further developmerivs in tracing the
slayer.
Because the shooting is inescap
ably linked with the killing twenty-
one years ago of Mrs. Annette Shera,
former operator of a store near the
one Patterson owned, and mother-in-law
of Patterson's grandson, offi
cers are determined to learn more
concerning the earlier crime.
Deputy State Sheriff Benton plan
ned to visit Quinton at the peniten-
mation concerning the death of the
woman, whose killer Patterson had
boasted he knew.
CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY
Prom Monday's Dallr
Yesterday was the eighty-ninth
birthday anniversary of Mrs. Eliza
beth Streight, one of the pioneer resi
dents of this community, the occas
ion being marked by the aged lady
receiving the congratulations and
well wishes of a number of the rela
tives. Mrs. Streight is here at the
home of her son, W. J. Streight and
with whom she is residing a part of
the time. Several auto parties of
Omaha friends and relatives came
down for the day, Mr. and Mrs. W. E.
Wells and daughters, Ernestine and
Wllma, Mrs. Alpha Mitchell and son,
Thomas, forming one party while Mr.
and Mrs. William Whittiker and Mr.
and Mrs. Earl Whittiker were in an
other car of the visitors. Mr. and
Mrs. William Whittiker presented
Mrs. Streight with a beautiful birth
day cake that was very much appre
ciated by the guest of honor.
COURT HOUSE CLOSED
From Tuesday's Daily
In honor of the funeral services
of County Surveyor Fred Patterson,
held this afternoon from the home
of his daughter, Mrs. Joseph Shera,
the court house was closed from 2
to 4 o'clock. The county officials
were at tne services oi tneir asso-
elate who wae so fully murdered Sat
urday night.
ATTEJTDnTG P. E. 0. CONVEHTION
Mrs. H. F. Goos of this city Is at
Portland, Oregon, where she will
have the pleasure of attending the
Iciety Mrs. Goos will also, while at
Portland, visit at tne home or Mr. of order but poim of Burt appeal
and Mrs. E. H. Heitzhausen. the lat- ed from the decision of the chair and
ter a sister of Mr. Goos. as with '
other relatives and friends,
Early History
of Plattsmouth
is Recounted
I'riarlpal IMatfamoath II. .
, ny hoiikiit i-ostkh imttichsox.
If the disposal of the capital ques-
a a 1 u c
Uon ,n tRe HoU8e waa aQ excillnff
an&lr 6urrounded with an air of
mv&tery relative to the support of
oaha by the Cass county represen-
tatives. the events on the came mat
ter were even more exciting in the
Council and the vote secured by Om
rhn came in an even more myster
ious manner. Here also we find the
same division into south and north
Platte sections with the exception of
Mitchell of Washington who at first
supported Plattsmouth and Rogers of
south Douglas county who professed
a violent dislike for Omaha and a
great affection for Bellevue until the
opposition of both was suddenly and
mysteriously silenced and they gave
their support and vote to Omaha at
the time when it counted most.
On the same day that the capitol
subject was opened in the House,
January 24, 1855, Richardson of
Douglas introduced a bill in the
Council to locate the seat of govern-
( men t at Omaha and it was advanced
to second reading wunoui a comesi.
At this juncture, Lafayette Nuckolla
of Plattsmouth moved to insert
Plattsmouth and on a roll call vote,
his motion lost by a 7 to 6 vote on
a strict north and south Platte di
vision. On the next day, Clarke of south
Douglas county and naturally a
Bellevue supporter, moved to insert
Bellevue in the bill for which only
the four Douglas county members
voted. The vote for Bellevue on the
part of the Douglas councilmen with,
the exception of Rogers was prob
ably more of an effort to withdraw
support away from Plattsmouth or
any other south Platte selection rath
er than a sincere effort in behalf of
Bellevue. As in the House, only one
vote was ever taken on Bellevue and
it ended in permanent failure. Rogers
posed as a bitter enemy of Omaha but
later underwent a complete reversal
of viewpoint. . . . . .- - .
On January 29th, the situation la
the Council chamber- became - tense
and the discussion of the bill "be
came ardent and fierce." The lobby
was crowded with interested spec
tators. Richardson of Douglas moved
to read the capitol bill the second
time and It was agreed to. Mitchell
of Washington then made an effort
in behalf of Plattsmouth by a mo
tion to insert Cass county seat In
the bill. Richardson then began tac
tics designed to block action on the
motion, very apparently in an effort
to gain time to convince the disloyal
north Platte Councilman of his error.
He moved the motion be referred to
the Committee of the Whole to be
taken up tbe next day (Tuesday),
but his substitute was lost 7 to 6.
Strangely enough, his next motion
to refer the motion to the Commit
tee of the Whole without reference
as to time and It was carried by the
usual 7 to 6 vote.
But by another quick stroke, Mr.
Richardson secured consent to con
tinue discussion of the bill until
Wednesday. On t he next day, or
Tuesday, for reasons better known
to himself. Mr. Richardson was eager
to take the matter up then rather
than wait until Wednesday. Accord
ingly he moved to reconsider the
vote whereby consideration of the
bill was postponed until Wednesday.
Bennett of Pierce tried to block this
maneuver but his motion to table
was lost 7 to 6, Mr. Mitchell voting
with the north Platte group. Then
by the same identical . vote. Rich
ardson's motion to reconsider was
agreed to. Furthermore, by tbe
same vote again, the matter was
taken from the Committee of the
Whole and was thrown open for de
bate and action by the Council. Then
Mr. Mitchell, who on Monday had
espoused the cause of Plattsmcfitb,
now asked and obtained leave to
withdraw his amendment to the bill
to strike Omaha and insert PlatVs
mcuth. This accomplished, Mr.
Mitchell moved to Insert in the bill
"at a point on the north line of the
Clancy claim, adjoining the claim of
Thos. Jefferies" which was not in
Omaha but about three miles from
that place in the neighborhood of
what is now Florence or more famil
iarly known as Winter Quarters -These
strategic moves have been
carefully enumerated in order to
chow precisely how the train of
events moved which led up to the
final approval of Omaha. What had
caused the sudden change of mind
on the part of Mr. Mitchell which
had caused him to withdraw his sup
port cf Plattsmouth after loud pro
testations of loyalty and cast his
vote for Omaha? Perhaps in the
answer to this question may be found
the reason
that impelled Latham,
Kempton and Thompson in the House
to suddenly desert Plattsmouth and
vote for Omaha. Perhaps even a
more tangible answer to the riddle
may be found in the fact that Mr.
Richardson Immediately gave notice
that he would introduce a joint reso
lution to appoint Mr. Mitchell as
sole commissioner to locate the cap-
ruIed tne TTS of Richardson out
(Continued oa Pag 6)