I
THE OMAITA DAILY BEEi SUNDAY, MAUCII 27. 104.
i
. CHURCHES YIELD TO BUSINESS
j Two Lsft in Distrkt t Sm(mi
Trada Activities,
KOUNTZC MEMORIAL BEGINS TO MOVE
(. Fhlloaaoaa'a CtethoUo ruU4rtl,
Oae of ! Terr Oldew, Mmi
914 Bit Xtata
(root.
Demolition begun this week en the tower
cf Kountse M mortal church, Sixteenth mail
Harney streets, mark the destruction of
another of the old down-town churches.
With the growth of the city and the
ehsnires ot the business and residenco dis
tricts the churches which were, once the
pride of Omaha worshipers are sold to
tanks room for business blocks. Whea the
last bricks shall have bee pulled dowrl
from Kountse Memorial only two churches
wilt remain In the down-town section St.
Phllomrna's cathedral and tho. First FTes
"1yterlan church. The former, la a few
years, will five way to some wholesale
house, but the latter being on the Dodge
Street hill, which business will be slow to
climb, has a longer limit ef usefulness. Its
congregation haa for sereral years, how
erer, thought of selling. Trinity cathedral
la another church which, whoa built, was
thought to be far from the arrests of busi
ness, but It la now on debatable ground. A
few years' growth will bring 1t down town
as much as is the Freabyterlaa house,
St. Phllomena'a Is one of the oldest
churches In the city. In 1856 the Catholic
were first organised and the aaaie year
began foundation trenches at Eighth aad
Howard streets In what had been laid out
for a publle park to extend from Jackson
to Davenport streets. Strength was lack
ing, however and not until 18S6 was 4
church built on Ninth street. In WKT the
cathedral was finished and the old building
became the pariah school.
1 The first of the down-town churches was
the First Methodist Episcopal. It begaa la
small room at Eleventh aad Jonea streets,
later uspd the rapltol building, was later
riven lots by the city at Thirteenth and
Dodge streets, which were sold sad a brick
church put up In 1856 with borrowed money.
This wan Inst through debt and In 18TT the
frame building put up far from the buay
crowd, at 1711 Davenport street. Front
there to Twentieth atreet waa the latest
move.
Trinity Comes Seat.
Trinity parish began Its existence In ISM
and Its first church was In the fashionable
center at Ninth and Farnam streets. This
was on ground leased for ten years. In
ISM the vestry struck for the cornfields
and bought the ground at Eighteenth and
Capitol avenue, where the cathedral now
stands. The church finished In 1867 was
burned two years later and the f rasas
building which followed It was twice en
larged and served until the stone house
was begun shortly before 1880.
The First Congregational was organised
In 185ft and met in the atatehousa and tha
dining room of the Douglas house. In VEt
a Stoo church waa built at Sixteenth and
.Farnam, then a quiet blue grass patch,
and used until IN", when It was sold and
became part of the elty halt. The next
move waa to Chicago street, between Eigh
teenth and Nineteenth streets, and later
the present Davenport street house of wor
ship wsa built.
The First Presbyterian had n hard time
In getting to Seventeenth and Dodge
Streets. Organised. In 18ST, It gradually dis
solved to an end. The Second church be
gan life In 1R61, and after using the Con
gregational church, later the Baptist and
the courthouse, finally in 1888 moved Inta
the basement of the present church and
became tha First church. The upper part
Of the church was finished In 18(8.
Tha First Baptist church la now far
enough from the business center, but after
being organised In 1858 It worshiped In n
1200 frame church on Douglas atreet be
tween Fifteenth and Sixteenth. It sus
pended for a time, but in 186s built a fine
frame church a Fifteenth and Davenport
Streets. Beth Eden church branched out
and built on Park avenue, and after tha
First church burned, lota were bought on
upper Farnam. Later they united In Beth
Xden church and are now building again.
Hearlr ef First Christina.
The First Christian church has been get
ting away from down town alnce 186S. A
little church waa built on lower Harney
gtreet. but the society later disbanding,
thla was leased. In 1871 they took the old
Methodist house on Seventeenth street,
and later put up tha frame structure at
Twentieth and Capitol avenue, which was
lately torn down.
St. Mary Magdalene, Gorman Catholic, la
another church which had business thrust
upon It In Its old location. When the
uglas street house waa destroyed a
rather small brick church was built on tha
name location, and when two years ago
the land became valuable thla waa sold
Ml a move mads to Nineteenth and Dodge
street.
The matter of location is now a very seri
ous Question for the Board of Directors of
Kountse Memorial church. Some of tha
members feel that since the church has
twice been forced to move, now la the
time to get out In the deep, sweet smelling
clover and tha H0.400 residences, and place
a fine church where It will not be bothered
by trafllo. Others point to tha faot that
on both occasions when the churches were
old a very handsome profit waa, realised
and the society was abls with the money
gained to build creditable churches, These
people favor move of only a few blocks.
There Is probably a majority in favor of
h neighborhood of Twenty-fourth and
Farnam streets. Tet there are members of
the church who feel that this la away in
the country.
First Traasaelsstsslpat Latheraa.
The first Lutheran church welt of the
Mississippi liver was organised In Omaha
la ltfcl Rev. II. W. Kuhns had been sent
West as a missionary by the Allegheny
ayuod of Pennsylvania, and during his first
year here ha succeeded in forming a church
with seventeen members. Of these two
only are now alive, these being Mra Fred
Drexel and Mrs. Clara Boeder, both living
in Omaha. The church was first called the
rmanuel Lutheran. Mr. Kuhns remained
as pastor until 1S70, and his three sons live
here still. Of these Rer. Luther Kuhns Is
secretary of the Luther league and Paul
and John Kuhns are connected with the
First National bank.
In lma ths congregation built at WO
Douglas street what was for that Urns a
tine brick church, which would aeat about
1W persons. The church during the first
two years saw many hard times. Mr.
Kuhns went east to raise money, but the
aivll war was at Its height and his was a
aevero Uak. It is said of Mr. Kuhns that
at one time he carried a letter about with
him for days because he had not the money
for the l-cent stamp. When Henry O.
Harts reached Omaha In IMS, however, the
aurch had forty n.enibers and was In a
'alrty nourishing coudition. After the
loath or Mr. Kuhns the church had only
Irregular supplies for eighteen months, and
then came. In 171, Kev. Mr. Blllhelmer.
Two years later the pastorate was tendered
to Rev. A. W. IJpe. who arrived in the
prlng of 1S74. and continued In the pulpit
until 10l After this came Rev. H. L.
Uaugher. D. U. lute professor In the Penn
sylvania oolWge at Gettysburg. He held
the charge from July, ISM, for ons year.
14 w4 Cserse4e4 b Rev. a. T. Bieliing.
D. IX, who was largely Instrumental In
building the Sixteenth street church.
Gtvwa Wats- e Wfljsrs Hatel
A month bsfor Dr. eteUtng reached his
pas karate, the old charoh was sold for lis..
000 to the builders of ths Millard hotsl, now
covering the western half ot tha lot Dr.
Stelllng worked hard for the new church,
but died befntw Its completion. When tha
lots at Sixteenth and Harney streets were
bought, ma ay of the congregation thought
hat a very foolish move had been mado
in going so far out of town. The lots must
save beea onoatdered In the outskirts, for
they cost only P.MO. Later the north third
of them waa sold to Shukert for KX.000 end
the recent sale to Jndgo Neville brings
ts.0SO, so that from the original Invest
ment of 83.100 tha church haa realised
tlH.OOa. Thla la the argument need by
those who think it lucky to court business
encroachment
The new 'church was not built Just ss
It stands now, because It stood twelve or
mora feet above the present grade. The
original cost was $48,000, but when the
basement was built under the church,
IS, 000 more was spent The door at the
south of the entrance which was only a
foot or two above the street was left
high in tha wall and no steps built to It.
About three years ago the church wns re
modeled, frescoed snd otherwise Improved
at a cost of, 110.000. The building of the
church had created a debt ot 830,000. This
became very burdensome and during the
hard times the northern forty-four feet of
(he lota were sold and the money applied
oa the debt Of this only $6,000 now re
mains to bo deducted from the $90,000. The
church was built in 1881 and this was the
time when tha name was changed from
Emanuel.
Period at Prosperity.
When ttra church was built the member
ship waa . ITS. The Sunday school which
had beea organised had grown to 200 mem
bers. Dr. P. 8. Leisenring was at this
time superintendent. J. S. Detweller was
the first pastor In the new church and
there followed a period of considerable
prosperity. A mission Sunday school had
been started some years before and main
tained near Tenth and Caatellar streets.
During this pastorate two new Lutheran
parishes branched out from the older
church. These were St. Mark's, which be
gan its existence with tha blessing of the
parent body about fifteen years ago, and
Grace, which waa organised about two
year later. Qraco church absorbed the
mission Sunday school. After Mr. Det
weller came Rev. A. J. Turkic, who was
followed In turn by Edward Frederick
Trefs. After bis resignation the pulpit was
vacant for months and Rev. J. E. Hummon
has but lately assumed Its charge. The
membership now numbers about $50.
The congregation has been growing dis
satisfied with tho eld church for some
time. It was felt that it was too far down
town and for this reason too expensive a
property to maintain. There was also no
parsonage. A more modern building was
desired, so for these reasons the board has
been as willing as Barkis for a long time,
the only thing being a bidder who would
pay tho price.
The board haa not yet decided on tha
new location nor as to whether a meeting
place will be rented and work begun as
soon as - possible on tho new homo or
Whether a stucco tabernacle be erected and
used for twelve or eighteen months while
preparations for a fine new church are
made with deliberation. Tho work of de
struction will be hurried and Easter sees
the last Sunday service. A farewell re
ception has been planned for the evening
of April 11 and then the church will end
Its existence ss a place of worship. The
Women's Helping Hand socletly Is having
a number of large photographs of the
church printed and will awell the fund
by Bailing them to membera who desire
Souvenirs.
JAPAN'S HEART IN THE WAR
eawaaasaasaaa
What am Omaha Girl Who Is at Osaka
Writes Homo to Her
Frleads.
F. W. Foster has Just received a letter
from Grace Anne Hughes of Osaka, Japan.
Miss Hughes graduated from Omaha High
school In 189$. She haa been-In Japan four
years. Shs gives these bright little touches
from real Ufa In central Japan during these
war tln.es. She writes:
"War waa formally declared on the Mem
orial day (February 11), called Rlgensetsu,
celebrated each year In memory of the as
cension to the throne of the first emperor
Of Japan, Jlmml (tenno). Tha naval vic
tories of tho three or four days previous
put the people In Juat tho right mind for a
very exciting celebration, but they seemed
to keep well in mind that this was the
beginning of a great unknown end, and
they were very moderate, at least in
Osaka.
"Wo get most ot our daily news from tho
Japanese daily. The Jap. papers try to
keep things moving by getting out extras
several times a day, but news Is scarce.)
Last night (February 25) the extra waa
ssnt around after midnight People got up,
thinking something Important had hap
pened, but there was nothing worth read
ing. ' "Wo are about 1.000 miles' from the ob
jective point Port Arthur, and we hope
the fighting will keep at that distance; but
wa are In the heart of Japan, and we can
feel tho throbbing of tha best blood of tho
country, as they have been sending tha
troops through tha Osaka station at the
rate of one train load of (00 every two
hours for the past two weeks. Other reg
ular trains are taken off and tho whole
transfer business of this great elty is being
put to great Inconvenience, but every one
la willing, and no one complains. 'It is the
ceuntry'a call.'
"The method they have of calling out
men who are In different walka of life, with
many depending on them for support. Is
most pitiable. Vsually they give them only
a few hours In which to wind up aftatrs.
They must go and leave alL An emer
gency fund is already being raised for the
purpose of providing for tboee who are
thus left destitute. In yesterday's paper
were the names of five men who used to
be dalmlyos (feudal princes). Each gave
to tha war fund l.OOO.OOO yen (about $500,000).
The world has not yet seen the hesrt of
Jspan. ' This gives us more faith that when
onoe Jspan turns to worship the true Ood
there will be no lack of gifts In His treasury."
ESTABROOK TO BE THE ORATOR
Will Deliver tho Principal Address
at the Omaha f eml-Ceateaalal
Celebration.
Henry D. Estabrook haa written from
New York to Edward Roaewater, accept
ing the Invitation to deliver the principal
address st the celebration of the fiftieth
anniversary of the passags of tha Kansas
Nebraska bill, which will be held In Omaha
on May $1 next At Lawrence. VCan., on
May 3D the same event will be celebrated,
at which place Hon. William H. Taft, sec
retary of war. will be the principal speaker.
An effort Is being mads to secure Mr. Taft
for participation In the Omaha celebration
also.
Whaling; Bark Gees North.
SAN FRANCISCO. March W.-The whal
ing bark (iadhead has nailed for a crulae
In the Arctic. It will be the only sailing;
vessel In the northern watera this sen son
In search of bn and ivory. The tJay
haad for years has crulaed In the south
seaa in the early spring snd along the
Japnneae and filbeHan coasts in the sum
mer snd fall, but this season It will take
ae ehanree In waters where either Rus
sian or JananeM vir - . .-- nv-w
Jte be encountered.
FIFTY-TWO IN THE FAMILY
Bird and Animal at KwaiJs Fark an
Io teres ling Lot
KttPCR AN MI SON HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD
WatraM Otf Bis gsjscehJoos Wards
silk VujUaaee, hat Falls te Al
ways Fieaessa POase sal
Goodwill.
One of the most Intereslng families In
Omaha undoubtedly la under tho care ef
N. P. Andersan at Rirervlew park. Al
though not human in makeups that fam
ily of fifty-two has Its tittle likes and
dislikes that must be 'catered ta; little
aches and pains that must receive atten
tion from Keeper Andersan, who watchee
over his charge with a sealous care. And
It is doubtful whether the return of spring
has more significance with any other fam
ily in Omaha than it haa with the fifty-two
animals and birds housed at Rlvervlew
park.
Keeper Andersan was distributing a pall
of meat to tho eamlvorous animals and
birds and exchanging pleasantrien with
his dumb friends the other evening when
the question, "How have tho animals and
birds passed tha wtntert" waa asked of
him. .'
"Quite nicely, thank you; they have had
a few colds and have been oft their feed
at times, but generally they have had an
exceptionally pleasant winter," was the
reply received.
The herd of buffalo, four noble relics of
ths plains, appear to take their Incarcera
tion with becoming grace. "Old Ben," IS
years of age, the senior member of the
herd, feeta his position and makes "Rosie."
"Bessie" and "Bridget" tend to their knit
ting. The keeper says some days he Is
particularly cranky and refuses to bo
consoled. The herd was formerly with a
wild west show.
The four bears, "Nipper," "Queen,"
''Marshall" and "Victoria," are eagerly
waiting for the good old summer time
when the boys snd girls and the older
folks throw peanuts and sweetmeats into
the pit Their keeper has no hesitancy In
going Into the pit snd making a little
afternoon call with the bruins. With
"Nipper," the black bear, he is almost on
speaking terms, at least to the extent
that "Nip" will give hint the "glad hand
when asked.
Some Domestic Infelleltlea.
Little family differences appear to arise
In the animal world even as they do with
human households. The domestic harmony
of Keeper Andersan's family has been
marred by the coyotes, three In number,
mother, father and son. The latter became
so unruly that his parents objected to his
presence In the same' cage with them, so
the keeper had to place the offspring in a
sepaiite cage, which seems to have settled
the trouble. "
It Is the usual custom for the keepor
lo name his pets, but In the . case of the
young coyote no name haa as yet been
selected. Asked the reason of this, the
keeper said the young coyote was so foolish
and Irresponsible that he had not yet found
a suitable name to give It. Tho un-naroed
coyote paces up and down his cage from
dawn to darkness with no plana, nor pur
pose; ho doesn't seem to have enough aenao
to get In out of tho rain, ao his master
affirms. The old folks, though 'still re
taining the coyote characteristics, receive
their meals with at least some show of
decorum.
The proudest of all tha Rlvervlew park
family la the peacock, which had a grand
"coming out" a few weeks ago with his
new Easter tall, a gorgeous affair. His
pride would bo pardonable were It not for
the fact that ho lords It over hie com
panion, the peahen. In a manner that si
awful to behold. He strata and stares
around tho aviary, looks over In a patron
izing way to his helpmeet, standing In tha
oorner with a go-way-back-and-have-a
chair expression en her face. He realises
that there will be no Easter for her and
he takes delight apparently. In reminding
her ot the fact that she Is an outcast at
Eastsr time; she will have no crowning
glory, no fine fall feathers.
Wild Cats and Messtata Lion.
The two wildcats, "George" and Elisa
beth," and the mountain Hon, "Prince
Victor," are In a double cage, the cats and
the lion being separated by a heavy wire
netting. This does not prevent the two
specie from having little factional differ
ences now and then through the netting.
They get as close as they can through the
wire and snarl and spit back and forth,
the lion, It Is said, being tho aggressor.
This can easily be explained. The wild
cats are mates, whlls tho Hon Is alone, the
only animal In the park that Is not mated.
Tnls fact seems to rankle In his bosom.
He seems to realise that It is not good to
ba alone, at least, all of the time, and he
Is pining for a companion, so Keeper An
dersan states. It is stated that the Park
board expects to secure a female mountain
lion as soon as possible and then It la
expected that the present differences be
tween the wildcats and the mountain Hon
will have been adjusted.
The eight wolves, four gray and four
black, are kept in tho aama rage, with no
separation whatsvsr. They usually live in
peace and happiness, but occasionally In
dulge In a dispute, which Is short lived,
the keeper says.
Ths only animals to have gone "abroad"
to spend ths winter are the twelve Guinea
pigs, which were sent to the hothouse at
Hanscom park last fall to escape the
rigors of a winter In Rlvervlew. They are
expected to return when the violets peep
again.
The eagles, hawks snd owls, a pair of
each, have passed the winter In an un
eventful manner. The owls continue to
look wise and say nothing, the hawka grab
their portlona of liver from day to day,
while the eagles havs a faraway look as If
liberty to them was a meaningless word.
The two Arkansas travelers of the park
are ths pair of raccoons, brought from
Arkansas. They eat their bread and meat
without much ado and appear to be giad
they are alive and well.
The four elk. thriteen deer and three
foxea all fill their niches In the animal
world at Rlvervlew.
"You should hesr the coyotes and wolvea
make the welkin ring every time a train
passes the park at night-time," aald Keeper
Andersan. "Usually one of them will start
the concert and the rest will Join In with
a grand refrain, filling the woods with
thetr howls. They stop when ths train
hs passed."
Kennedy on tho Stump.
Kountse Memorial church will have a
great finale April 8. I'pon the evening of
that day Mr. William Kennedy (the ver
satile advertising manager for the Ben
nett company), will deliver his popular lec
ture, "Through Scotland with Scott," under
the auspices of Clan Oordcn, the local
stronghold of ths Scots.
Mr. Kennedy has a double barreled op
portunity for a big house bis admitted
platform superiority and ths fact that his
appearance on the Kountse Memorial
church platform will be tho last publlo en
tertainment In that edifice.
Petlluarill Cossosay Falls.
BOSTON. March 2a The newspaper ad
vertising agencr of Pettlngtll A Co. an
nounced that It had placed Ita a IT aire In the
handa of Its creditor Counsel representing
Pelting-ill a (' stated that the liabilities
may rach ll.uOG.0w wiih ass e la Msalaiy
oae-uartor of tbat anvouai. . ' ". ". -
?' ' " iV'lilli MUSIC n2jaij y
a . f . ' .' 15 SB it.
urn
SXSS1
WE WELCOME W!
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..vj -.71
An event in the world of retail
merchandising. Beautiful effects,
both in the decorating of our show N
rooms and in the display of New
Spring Goods. We invite your in
spection and court your criticism.
An unequaled showing of values,
that will appeal to those who look
for all that is desirable in qualities
and styles, combined with a low
ness .in price. Do justice to your
self and call tomorrow.
Our stocks and assortments surpass more
than we hoped for--a surprise even to ourselves.
The Suit and Millinery Department is
aglow with a splendid array of all that is beau
tiful in ladies' ready-to-wear clothing. You will
And a visit to this department interesting a a
well as profitable.
We invite your special attention to our
Men's and Boys' Clothing, Hat and Shoe
Departments. A new and excellent stock that
will appeal to all discriminating buyers.
Our usual lines of Furniture, Carpets,
Draperies, Stoves and Crockery are greater than
ever before. In vastness of assortment, low
ness of price, beauty and style, nothing like it
has ever before been attempted. A vast acre
age of merchandise at prices that cannot be
equaled. . ;
Music and Decorations of a superb order.
Our store has been beautified and will prove
highly pleasing to you. MUSJC IN THE
MORNING AND AFTERNOON. A MAGNI
FICENT CONCERT HAS BEEN ARRANGED.
STORE OPEN FROM 8 A. M. TO C P. M. NOT
OPEN IN THE EVENING.
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