Iplattaittotttb
ournaL
SUM I -WEEKLY ED. I' 10a EIGHT FACES
l'LATTSMO UT11 NEBRASKA, MONDAY, SEPTEMHElt 7, 19(tt
VOLUME XXVI11
NO C6
3
cxbe
PIONEER'S DAY
BRINGS BIG CROWD
vote of thanks wa9 tendered the that were not occupied by Bquatters.
ladies of the Episcopal church, who One cheeky instance I will mention:
served the feast. I A poor man had squatted on a
Th,r woro mimhpr nf letters claim on Platte river and built a
City Thronged With Old Time
Citizens Here to Renew Old
Acquaintances
read from pioneers,, including an ex
tended letter from Icon. E. A. Done
Ian, the first mayor of this city; T.
Benton Drown, a pioneer resident;
V. M. Buster, also an old-time Ne
braska citizen, and many others. The
letter of ex-Mayor Donelan appears
elsewhere, together with those of
Mr. Brown and Mr. Buster.
Yesterday (Thursday) turned out
to be one of the great days of the
big carnival. With adverse open
ing, cloudy skies and threatening
rain the earlier part of the day
promised to be bad, and many were
discouraged over the outlook, but
about noon the clouds cleared away
and blue skies and balmy air pre
vailed. The afternoon was a bril
liant success and the streets were
thronged with people. The several
free attractions were given as per
schedule, and greatly pleased the
crowd. The longer the carnival goes
on the more praise is bestowed on
the management for the high grade
attractions given free. The trapeze
act, the contortionist, the slack wire
people, the diving dog and the bal
loonist are all A-l, and winners.
The balloon ascension yesterday was
a great success, and one of the pret
tiest ever seen In this part of the
country. A man and a dog went up
and ascended to a great height, the
dog being cut loose first and floating
gracefully down to earth followed
by the man, who promptly cut loose
when the crack of the gun came, and
sailed to earth from a vast distance.
A prettier spectacle never was pre
sented than these two who were
floating in the air at the same time
An immense crowd had gathered at
the corner of Fifth and Vine streets
to witness the ascension, and salvo
after salvo of applause went up
Mr. Chairman: Your Invitation
to attend the old settlers' meeting
at Plattsmouth In September Is re
ceived. I assure you It would give
true, but both teams played good me great pleasure 10 oe wun you
ball. The Fort Crook team won by a on that occasion, but my health at
score of 9 to 2, largely owing to this time admonishes me I should
lucky hits, coupled with errors by not be present,
the locals. Williams pitched a good jn 1857 I concluded to change my
game, but the few hits secured off residence from Savannah to St. Jos-
him came right at a time when the eph, as St. Joe had taken a start
errors came, and this won for the fr0m 1849 from the California gold
soldier boys. Fort Crook played emigration, and Its population was
good ball throughout, and were rapidly increasing. Before going to
lucky In not having disastrous er- st. Joe I decided to. go to Platts-
rors and bad hits to handle at crlt- mouth and start my cousin, Dr.
ical times. The game would have William Donelan, who had studied
been very close except for one bad medicine with me, In practice. I had
CALLED
Inning which the locals had.
The program for the afternoon
down town went off without a hitch,
Governor Shallenberger, who was to
be the principal Bpeaker, came In
shortly after noon from Union In an
automobile. Ownig to a misunder
standing as to when he was to come
and the route he would arrive on,
the committee to receive him went
to the Burlington station, and he Joruy in ravor or moving tne capitoi
south or tne Platte river, out um
aha was determined to defeat the
removal. When we got ready to
a number of friends there who knew
me in Savannah. I opened an of
fice with my cousin, and commenced
to practice In Plattsmouth. When
there only six weeks they elected me
to the legislature, where we had a
very exciting session over the re
moval of the capitoi from Omaha
to South Platte, In which I took an
active Interest. There were a ma-
consequently came In unheralded
and unannounced. As soon as his
presence was known the committee,
headed by Hon. R. B. Windham,
met him and an Impromptu recep-
take vote on the removal, before
Decker of Nebraska City, who was
I l 1 .VI. X it
tion was held at the Riley. In the lv " lavorau. io w.e
afternoon he delivered a felicitous removal, could put the question
speech at the tent north of the court Co,onel Hanscom put him out of the
house, delighting :v large audience.
The governor's speech was a fine one
and superbly timed for the occasion.
He was in a happy mood and made a
hit with those who heard him. Other
addresses were delivered by ex-Con-
when the grand descent was made. U'essmau Strode Rev A. L. Folden
Certainly no one could find fault
with the free attractions which have
been put on bo far, and the rest of
the week will be better.
An unexpected and very pleasant
surprise took place In the afternoon
when the Fort Crook band came
down. In the morning the commit
tee, discouraged by the bad weather,
had called the band up and cancelled
the engagement. Later, when the
sun came out the band decided to
come down on their own responsi
bility, and they boarded the Schuy
ler train at Bellevue, arriving here
at 4 o'clock. They played a number
of airs on the streets in the after
noon and leaped Into popular favor
at once. This Is one of the best
bands heard here In years, and dem
onstrated that they know good
music. They received the heartiest
applause and the universal opinion
was that they should return under
better conditions and receive the
proper amount of attention from the
press. Certainly they did great
work yesterday afternoon and even
ing. After supper they gave a con
cert at the corner of Fifth and Main
streets which was enjoyed by a great
throng of people. Every number was
received with round after round of
applause, and Fort Crook was voted
a winner. The band is the Six
teenth infantry band of the army,
and is directed by Ernest G. Fischer.
It Is a great organization, and Di
rector Fischer deserves the highest
commendation for the masterly
manner In which the band has been
drilled. The evening program was
as follows:
March, "Stars aid Stripes For
ever" Sousa
Overture, "Ellsa e Claudio". ..
Mercadante
Waltz, "Wedding of the Winds"
Hall
Descriptive, "A Hunting
Scene" Buccalossl
Fantasle, "My Old Kentucky
Home" Dalbey
"The Star Spangled Banner."
Every number was greeted with
applause, especially the descriptive
"Hunting Scene" and "My Old Ken
tucky Home." Of course, the "Star
Spangled Banneer" was received
with open arms and cheers. All
told, the Fort Crook band won out
In the affections of Plattsmouth,
and the next time they come there
won't be anything too good for
them.
The ball game had a fair crowd,
and was a better one than the score
Indicates. The grounds were in mis
erablo condition and muddy for
C. S. Payne of the Nebraska Histor
ical society, Hon. B. S. Ramsey, who
introduced Grandpa Bailey, a man
94 years of age, the nestor of Cass
county. All the addresses were fine
and met with a hearty reception
Owing to the demand on space today
reference to the several speeches at
length cannot be given
The evening program, which In
eluded the grand banquet to the plo
neers and old settlers, was carried
out without a hitch. Hon. R. B.
Windham presided as toastmaster
and introduced the several speakers.
Previous to the speaking Mr. Wind
ham stated that a telephone message
from Hon. F. E. White of Omaha
had been received expressing his
deep regret at his inability to be
present owing to Illness In his fara
ily. A like message was received
from Hon. Orlando Tefft of Avoca.
The banquet was preceded by a me
morable Incident. Fifty years ago
Conrad Schlater had played upon
the organ of the Methodist church In
this city, the choir singing to his ac
companiment. Yesterday the same
organ, the first in this city, was
played by Conrad Schlater and the
Methodist choir again sang to his
accompaniment. The choir, how
ever, was different and younger, but
the veteran organist was the same
The occanlon was one not unmixed
with solemnity, and will live for
ever In riattsmouth history. Fol
lowing this came the Invocation by
Canon Burgess, who eloquently
called down blessings upon the aged
members of the festal board.
of toasts was re-
Conrad Schlater,
chair, and with a lot of backers
stopped the proceedings. The house
then was in a great state of con
fusion, and when It was evident we
would not be allowed to vote we ad
journed, and held a caucus, and
agreed to move to Florence. It was
then quite a town and at that time
an active opponent of Omaha. Flor
ence prepared a room for the legis
lature to meet in. The next day
we held a caucus. I offered the res
oluion to move the legislature to
Florence. It passed the house and
was presented In the council, or sen
ate, as It Is now called. Dr. Miller
of Omaha was president, and was
opposed to the removal of the cap
ltol. He refused to entertain the
question, and Senator Reeves of Ne
braska City put the question, which
was carried. The legislature then
moved to Florence, where the citi
zens did everything they could to
make us comfortable.
We passed a number of bills, In
eluding the removal of the capitoi
to South Platte, but Governor Rich
ardson refused to recognize the
Florence legislature, or sign the
bills. Consequently they never be
came laws. Shortly after I return
ed to Plattsmouth they elected me
mayor. We had some exciting
times In those days. Claim and anti
claim factions would have their dis
putes, but by good management they
were all settled. The Colorado gold
fever broke out, and many with
their wagons, were on their way to
the gold fields. While on their way
west of Plattsmouth they received
some very unfavorable reports that
there was no gold In Colorado, and
that it was got up as a scheme to
sell goods. Some fifty or Blxty
wagons, about seventy-five miles
west of Plattsmouth met and held
a consultation and decided to re
turn home. At this meeting they
decided they would not pay toll at
the crossing of the river at Platts
The program
sponded to by
Mayor John P. Sattler, ex-Senator mouth. We received the news 1
Thomas, Hon. Matthew Gerlng, Hon. advance and called a meeting of the
J. E. Douglass, Rev. A. L. Folden, citizens. Wheat Mlcklewalte owned
Hon. M. Archer, A. L. Tidd, Hon. J. the ferry. He said he was not run
L. Root, Rev. A. A. Randall. Hon. nine the ferry for his health and
A. J. Beeson. Father M. S. Shine, proposed to be paid If they crossed
Hon. D. O. Dwyer, Hon. H. D. the river on his boat. After con
Travis, Hon. O. L. Farley, Dr. M. M. sultatlon we concluded we had not
Butler,- D. W. Foster, E. A. Kirk- given them any encouragement to
Patrick and Hon. E. M. Pollard. As go away and that they should pay
has been stated above space today ferriage on their return. We calle
forbids extended comment upon the a meeting and appointed fifty police
several responses, but it can be Baid Each was armed with club and pistol
they were all excellent. The ad- for the occasion. They were in
aress oi ex-&enaior a. u. i nomas siruciea not to uho their weapons
was preceded by the reading of a except in self-defense. When the
poem written and read by Thomas teams arrived they were informed
Thomas, his father, on July 4, 1876, of the action of the clty.and a po-
at a pioneers' meeting In this city. I Herman was at the landing to look
This poem, together with an ex- after each team. Ab they boarded
tended notice of Senator Thomas' the bont Mlcklewalte demanded his
remarks will appear later. fare. It was paid promptly and all
At me conclusion or tne uanquet passed over tne river without any
which it may be remarked was one 'trouble. There were many Incidents
of the best ever given in this city, a 'of claim Jumping, mostly claims
shanty, complying with the law, but
did not have the money to enter his
claim. Two or three Individuals
went to his place and said they
wanted to stop with him, as they
were going to spend a few days fish
ing. They said they would make a
little addition to his room. They did
so, and when they got through fish
ing they went to Omaha and en
tered the claim. I believe they com
promised with the old man by buy
ing him out. I could mention many
Incidents that transpired during my
stay in Plattsmouth, but space will
not permit. The merchants in
Plattsmouth at that time were Gar
rison & Jones, Slaughter & Worley,
Harper, Joe Schlater. Joe Schlater
had a jewelry store and I a drug
store. Conrad Schlater and wife
ana .Mrs. Margaret scnumor are
among those who still live in Platts
mouth who were young then. The
first Democratic convention held in
Nebraska was held In Plattsmouth.
I was a delegate to the convention.
There were many able men in the
territory at that early date. Hard
times set in in 1858 and 1859, and
money became very scarce. The
city issued script, and script and
town shares were the principal cur
rency. I had a good deal of prop-
rty and could not raise money to
pay taxes on It. I concluded in the
prlng of I860 lo move to St. Jos
eph. Dr. Miller of Omaha and my
self are the only members of either
branches of the legislature now liv
ing who were members of those two
sessions. Miller published the Om
aha Herald, and while we have not
always pulled together we have al
ways been good friends. I regard
him as a high minded, honorable
gentleman. In conclusion allow me
to say I am still In the harness
medical examiner of 'the St. Joseph
public Bchools a position I take
much interest in, and I believe
have accomplished much good in
preventing the spread of disease, and
In teaching the children how to live
that they may enjoy a long and hap
py life. I have a few relatives In
Plattsmouth Conrad Schlater and
family, Mrs. Margaret Schulhof and
family and Mrs. John Donelan and
daughter, pll of whom I would like
to see. I am In my eighty-sixth year
nd although my limbs are partial'"
r.ralyzed from a severe frneture In
my old age, I am still filling a posi
tion, teaching the children how to
llvo to avoid disease, and what to
eat and drink In order to live a long
and happy life. Regretting verv
much that I cannot be with you. I
will close by wishing you all many
happy days. Respectfully,
E. A. DONELAN, M. D.
did gloomy and dark, with clouds
lowering over the city and the skies
threatening rain. The morning pro
gram was given as outlined, how
ever, and the arrival of a special
train from Elmwood added more
than materially to the crowd. De- Frank M. Svohoda Passes flwav at
'
HOME
spite the bad weather 129 paid fares
from Elmwood alone were on the
train, something which Plattsmouth
ought to remember, as a very small
crowd visited that city when they
had a special train. El wood is en
titled to every credit for the energy
(Continued from Page 1.)
and push they have displayed, and
Plattsmouth owes a deep debt of
gratitude to their live people for the
assistance rendered. Elmwood is
without doubt the best town of its
size in Nebraska, and outside of
His Home in This City
DIED Svoboda, Frank M.. at his
home In Plattsmouth, Neb., on
September 3, 1909, of tuberculosis
aged 25 years, 3 months and 27'
days. Funeral Snturdap, Septem
ber 4, 1909, at 11 a. m., from the
Church of the Holy Rosary, Platts
mouth, Neb. Rev. Father Shi'ie
officiating. Interment at Oak Hill
cemetery.
After a lingering illness with that
Plattsmouth It is the best town in most llreadt ' diseases, consump-
Cass county. The royal manner In tlon Frank M- Svohoda, one of
which they turned out today shows Plattsmouth's best and brightest
that. Elmwood has the best people yun men went to hl8 ,aBt resting
on earth In its borders. Today, with
all things against It, promises to be
another big one and a great time Is
in Btore for all who visit the Queen
City of old Cass.
place. In his death the city loses
one of its best citizens and a young
man of more than marked ability.
In his lifetime Frank Svohoda was
one of the best beloved young men
Elmwood evidently feels that it is the Hy ever knew. He was a genial.
entitled to glory, and it is. A mes
sage was received this morning by
J. P. Falter of the executive com
mlttee reading as follows:
Elmwood, Neb., Sept. 3, 1909.
J. P. Falter, Plattsmouth, Neb.:
"Elmwood beat you one hundred."
ELMWOOD PARK ASS'N,
whole-souled fellow, one whom you
knew to like. Personally he had a
most engaging manner and in the
course of his life which was spent
entirely within the confines of this
city, he hnd formed a great circle
of friends and acquaintances who
heard of his death with the deepest
All right, Elmwood; it's all yours "-grot. For a long time past he had
and Plattsmouth knows it. Ultu v,tl"u lo UUlre,u," u,,u
every possible effort had been made
Muslcule nt WcncoU's.
to save him from the progress of
111.- .11..,.-, ..,. A .. I X-.. i
Mrs. C. E. Wescott and dauuh- u,BLBne
I VT..1 1. 1.1. I. iL. 1. . A V t
ters-ln-law. Mesdames C. C. and E. w" ' "
II. Wescott, last Tueseday and Wed
the ravages of the disease might bo
checked, but It proved In vain. Re
turning to this city he was compelled
to take to his bed and for the past
ten months he has been bedfast and
suffered greatly. This morning the
end came and it was welcome as it
nesday afternoons, entertained a
large company of ladles with a mus-
Icale. The affair was given at Sun
nyslde, the beautiful home of Mr.
and Mrs. C. E. Wescott, on High
arhnnl hill, nml the lawn and house
were both handsomely decorated for tu,eted the I1"1"9 and "ff"ings
the occasion. Light refreshments whli:h he had endural for 80 ,on a
were served during the progress of
tho nrntrrnm. thnnn nRslRtlnsr Tues
dnv l.etne Mm. A. L. Gass. Mrs. hla father' John Svoboda, Br., three
Arthur Smith, Mrs. James Donnelly, ., M. John W. Bookmeyer.
Mrs. C. A. Rawls and Miss Lena MrB' GeorSe Koehnke of Cretghton.
Fricke. On Wednesday afternoon Neb ' and Mr8' Frank Janda' Jr" nd
refreshments were served by Mrs.' M.
Elmwood, Neb., Aug. 22, 1909.
Pioneer Committee, Plattsmouth,
Neb.:
I have lived in Nebraska since
1863. Freighted from Nebraska
City in 1865. Commenced farming
in Cass county the spring of 1866.
Have lived here ever Bince. Was
at tho first fair that was built in
GAL THREEOLD SETTLERS
the county In 1857 at Rock Bluff.
Would like very much to come down
to your picnic, but don't think I can.
If you want to put my name down
with the old settlors do so.
W. M. BUSTER.
Los Angeles, Cal., Aug. 28, 1909
Hon. It. B. Windham, Plattsmouth,
Neb.:
Please accept my regrets that we
cannot be at Plattsmouth at your
pioneer picnic. I would be glnd to
be there and Bee my old friends,
Give our regards to one and all. Hop
ing that you will have a good time,
I remain as ever yours,
T. BENTON BROWN AND WIFE,
The day, taken as a whole, was a
great success and much credit is due
the committee having the observa
Hon of It In charge. Hon. R. B
Windham, the chairman, Is entitled
to commendatory mention. The
success of the banquet was in
great measure due to the energetic
efforts of Senator Thomas, who
single-handed and alone, disposed of
129 tickets. The entire committee
worked like Trojans, and are all en
titled to the best the city hos.
The evening was a pleasant on
and most enjoynbly spent by a mill
tltude who thronged the streets
from dusk until late Into the night
The several prncpssionn did a thrlv
lug business md every ' no was vast
lv pleased with tho day.
"''I" iih -;"' i ;ei yesterday
two brothers, John J. Svoboda, Jr.,
and Thomas Svoboda. At the time of
the attack of the disease, Mr. Svo
boda was custodian of tho county
court house and his brother, Thomas
succeeded him to the position. His
mother died several years ago, and
the sou will be laid by her Bide In
Oak Hill cemetery tomorrow (Sat
urday) morning, September 4, nt 11
o'clock. Rev. Father M. S. Shine
will conduct the services nt the
church of the Holy Rosary.
Mr. Svoboda was a member of the
M. W. A. and the Sokol society, the
latter a Bohemian order. He was
Insured in both and ulso carried In
surance with the Bankers Life In
surance company of Lincoln.
Howland, Mrs. William McCauley,
Mrs. Mae Morgan, Misses Zelma
Tuey, Etha Crabill and Lillian
Thompson. Punch was served on
Tuesday by Misses Marie and Vesta
Douglas and on Wednesday by Misses
Helen Clark and Marie Donnelly.
For the occasion the charming
home of the Wescott's was decor
ated, the predominating tint being
green with white drapery
The program was given on Tues
day and Wednesday Identically and
every member was received with
lid enthusiasm. Encores were
given to every number and the en
cors were given to every number,
and the entire program met with a
hearty reception. One of the fea
tures of the excellent program was Return From 1, Wended Trip.
the reading of "Aux Italiens," one James Sage and wife returned
of Edward Clarence Stedman's best this morning from nil extended trip
poems, by Mrs. William Balrd. The to the Pacific coast. They are feel
reodlng was a accompanied by the Ing fine and hnd a great time during
music by Verdi, the greatest Italian their sojourn in the west. They vis-
omposer, Mrs. Everett Eaton enr- Ited with friends at Los Angeles and
rying the song pnrts. Long Beac h, Cal., meet ing Walter
Mrs. Eaton was In splendid voice Thomas and fumlly, Arthur Helps
and her tones were of great purity. anu irp- J- "l,l's unci wire, m.
She has seldom sang better than on Murphy and wife, Mrs. M. Way-
this occasion, and when she sang ,jnKnt uetuon mown aim ramiiy.
'When the Heart Is Young" her nu- Tll0,nnH Clifford and family. Mrs.
dltors were completely carried away, prnntner, and many other former
riattsmouth people now living In
Mrs. Ella Margaret Falter also
was In superb voice, and her several
numbers were thoroughly enjoyed.
Mrs. Falter has the ability to play
the piano as well ns sing, and her
accompaniments weer greatly appre
ciated by the assemblage. All told,
the two afternoons were among the
most delightful the ladles have ever
enjoyed.
The program follows:
Piano solo, Bextette from Lucia
de Lalmermoor Donlzetta
Mrs. Falter.
Songs (a) "Still Unexprest; (b)
"Parting" Bond
Mrs. Eaton.
Reading, "Old Ace" Brooks
Mrs. Bnlrd.
Song, Florlan's Song Godard
Mrs. Eaton.
Reading, "Aux Italiens"
that locality. They state that their
stay in California was one of the
plensantest they ever hnd, and they
regretted having to return home.
From California they went north to
Seattle, where they took In the ex
position. They pronounce it a very
good one, but Inferior to Omaha in
size. Their trip was made of the
Southern Pacific from Los Angeles
to Seattle and the Northern Pacific
from Seattle to Billings, Wyo., the
Burlington handling them to this
city from Billings.
L.' Grau of Oklahoma Is making
a visit with bla relatives, the well
known Hennlngs family in Eight
Mile Grove precinct and was a visi
tor in the city today enjoying the
carnival and the sights. Mr. Grau
Lord Lyyton states that the weather had been
Musical accompaniment. . . Verdi against good cropB In his locality and
Mrs. Balrd. I he has been unable to raise ns much
Plnno rolo, "Song of Spring" corn as usual. Most of the farmers
Merkel In his section have had their, ground
Mrs. Falter. In corn Instead of cotton and the dry
?Mlir "V.'t'nn Min ffnnrt Ta lu-nufhnr lmrt la Knitlv rVHr.n la In
Yen!';" Buck good shape and will make a fine crop
Mrs. Eaton. Mown thero. Mr. Grau will remain
Reading Se!" hnd visit relatives and friends for
h. Hal rd. I several days.
