THURSLAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1935.
PLATTSMOUTH SEMI - WEEKLY JOURNAL
PAGE SEVEU
Reumon Brings
Memories of Rock
Bluffs' History
Election Held There in 1SG8 Had
Great Bearing on Aduussion of
State and Constitution.
The following from the State
Journal and Star of Sunday tells of
the part that the pioneer town of
Rock I51uffs played in the history of
Ni-braslta:
When the reunion picnic was held
at Rock Bluffs last Sunday, the tales
were all of the past; there can be
little thought of things in the fu
ture. Nearly eighty years ago. Rock
Bluffs, overlooking the Missouri river,
had all the promise in the world.
Steamboats on the river tied up
there; it was a freighting center; im
provements of the day were under
way; buildings necessary for a civic
life were being put up; it was a rival
of Plattsmouth.
But that was a long time ago, and
the Rock Bluffs population today
numbers half a hundred, and the
village lives in its memories, some
of them rather exciting.
Incorporated in 1856
Rock Bluffs was incorporated Jan
uary 26, 1856 by an act of the terri
torial legislature, and North Rock
Bluffs was the result of a later leg
islative effort. On November 3, 185S,
the two were consolidated and it was
was in those years that the town
was a formidable contestant for high
honors in Cass county. By 187 6,
"when the population was around 175,
the decline had begun, although
stores, a mill, a smith, and a post of
fice were operative still. The build
ing of the Burlington at Plattsmouth
and the falling off of ri7er traffic
combined to reduce the prominence
of Rock Bluffs.
The United Presbyterian church of
Rock Bluffs was the first church
building to be erected in the county,
and the members were justly proud
of the cupola rising far above the
bluffs and the sluggish river below
and of the bell weighing more than
400 pounds. It was incorporated by
the legislature in Omaha City, Jan
uary 4, 1S61, with the charter mem
bers including John and Robert
Latta. William II. Royal, David R.
Storey, William L. Thompson, and
others. This building was removed
to Murray in 1889.
Old Chnrch Eazed.
It was in August, 1916, that the
brick Methodist church, the only per
manent building remaining in Rock
Bluffs, was razed, but at that time it
was a hay barn. The church was
dedicated September 15, 1870, and its
20 by 40 feet represented one of the
town's best structures. Moses Hiatt
had been chairman of the building
committee, class teacher, and super
intendent of the Sunday school at the
time of the dedication.
When Nebraska Indians had
"made maniiest their purpose to com
mit hostilities upon the pioneers of
Nebraska; some of them openly
threatening to root out the frontier
settlements," as Acting Governor
Thomas B. Cuming expressed it in
his proclamation of December 23,
1854, and had attacked and would
attack the Oregon and California
wagon trains, the black-haired execu
tive called upon the territorialists to
organize volunteer. regiments for pro
tection. Thomas Patterson, pioneer
Cass county surveyor, was captain of
the Rock Bluffs Home Guards; W.
Y. Laird, first lieutenant; and Mar
tin M. Neff, second lieutenant. In
the October following the organiz
ation of that group in August, James
Kidwell was chosen captain of an
other company of guards; William
Rakes, first lieutenant; and William
Ellington, second lieutenant.
Gilnour First Mayor.
The first mayor was William Gil
mour, hut Mr. Gilmour figured in one
of the state's or territory's most
historic incidents, when he and H.
Ilutehenson, members of the election
board, took the ballot box, holding
the ballots on the question of state
hood for that precinct, home to din
ner. At the election in June, 1866, the
few Nebraskans were voting upon
whether Nebraska should give up its
territorial status. Upon that vote de
pended w ith which political party it
should become a state, and was cast
ing ballots for potential state offi
cers. Sentiment was rather evenly
divided, and feeling was acute.
In Rock Bluffs precinct, 107 votes
were cast for the democrats and 49
for the republicans, which meant that
six democrats would go to the legis
lature from Cass county, to cast their
votes for democratic United States
senators, according to the order of
the day. The law declared that the
ballot Lox should be in sight of the
voters on election day from 9 o'clock
to 6 o'clock, but when a ballot box
had gone out for food, it wasn't in
plain sight of everyone.
When the canvassing board met.
all the Rock Bluffs precinct votes
went into the wastebasket. because of
the ballot box situation. This action
gave the six republican candidates
of Cass county a majority, with the
result that the legislature elected the
two republican senators. Had "the
Rock Bluffs vote been counted, the
democratic representatives would
have gone to Washington. Rock
Bluffs had been opposed to statehood,
but with the throwing out of the bal
lots, Nebraska joined the union.
Eeceipted Bill.
Dr. G. II. Gilmore, now a resident
of Murray, has a receipted bill for
SG.20 in groceries sold by Peter A.
Sarpy and Co., to Colonel Patterson,
the first resident of Rock Bluffs and
on whose land part or the town was
laid out. It includes four pounds of
ceffee, U.C0; six pounds ol sugar, j
BELIEF LOAD TO DETERMINE
EXTENT OF WPA PROJECTS
Those present at Saturday's WPA
.meeting held at Weeping Water were
informed that the prime consideration
in granting WPA projects will be the
number of people on relief in any
given community, the work (with the
exception of minor supervisory and
technical planning and laying out)
going wholly to certified relief recipi
ents. For that reason, the bulk of the
jobs will go to more populous centers,
those attending were advised.
Under CWA, registered unemploy
ed persons were eligible for jobs.
The government's plan is to put
every able bodied relief recipient on a
job where he can make his own way,
either at the security wage scale of
?32 a month for common labor or
under the prevailing wage and hour
regulations for public works financed
from the WPA appropriation.
Those not able to work will become
regular county charges the same as
that class has been for years. Those
who are able, but balk at doing the
work assigned them, will find them
selves entirely off the relief roll.
When a worker is offered transfer
from security wage jobs to the higher
paid going wage classification he, too,
must accept or be stricken from the
relief roll entirely.
Cushion jobs, so-called because of
their elasticity or ability to be start
ed or stopped, speeded up or slowed
down, will be given preference in al
lowance of security-wage projects,
the delegation was informed.
A typicial illustration is cited. A
road paving or river job might be
shut down temporarily because of bad
weather, whereupon men could be
transferred to the cushion job, work
able in almost all kinds of weather.
A few days or weeks later, the .pre
vailing wage job could be reopened,
and men would be promptly be trans
ferred back, leaving the security wage
job to rest for the time being, or
proceed slowly with greatly reduced
force.
Governmental subdivisions w-ere al
so urged not to be backward about
putting in some of their own funds
for work they would eventually have
to do within the next decade, without
the advantage of federal aid.
51.00; lye to the amount of 60 cents;
and four gallons of whiskey, $3. It
is dated at Plattsmouth March 12,
1S6S.
The Murray physician also has a
deed made to his father for three lots
at 40 c,ens- per lot. aThe deed was
filed for. record at 9 o'clock in the
morning. April 8. 1862, in the county
of Cass and in the Territory of Ne
braska, but the purchase had been
made four years earlier. There could
have been little talk of the high price
of real estate in the late '50s, but
even so probably ercellent opportun
ities were passed by.
Rock Bluffs had an inn, for the
Nebraska Herald of April, 1866 re
lates that Park G. Dodson had pur
chased it and "is prepared to enter-,
tain all who may favor him with a
call. Dodson won't be outdone in the
hotel line."
School Opens.
Althouh the happy career of Rock
Bluffs as a flourishing community al
ready was marked for its close, the
Naomi institute announced its spring
term was to open March 21, 1871.
"Good boarding" was reasonable,
school books were furnished without
cost, and all the particulars could be
obtained from J. D. Patterson. The
ad said "Pupils of either sex will re
ceive a though and systematic in
struction here." The primary schol
ars had especial attention.
More of the Rock Bluffs that was
disappeared in 1922, when a log
cabin built by Robert Stafford in
18 60 burned. When Rock Bluffs was
one of the thriving communities
along the Missouri, the Stafford
home was very luxurious, with its
second story and Its heavy stone
foundation. In 1863, it was sold to
James Patterson, son of Thomas Pat
terson. Today, there is a cluster of homes
there. The steamboat whistles are
less noisy. Another town is the coun
ty metropolis. It will never be much
larger; it may never be much small
er. But there is something in living
in a town where hungry officials
changed the political course of a
state for many years.
MEASURE MAY FACE VETO
Washington. The amendatory
measure setting up administrative
machinery for the Taylor grazing act
was the only major piece of western
legislation awaiting presidential ac
tion. The bill, which would permit
inclusion of 142 million acres of pub
lic lands in grazing districts, has been
at the white house more than a week.
There were indications at the time
the changes in the grazing act were
approved by congress that they did
not find complete favor with the in
terior department which is charged
with administration of the law.
Whether he delay in presidential
action on the amendments presages a
veto was a matter of conjecture.
Cass county residents snourd
buy everything possible in their
home town. If you can't be sup
plied there, come to Plattsmouth,
your county seat and logical large
town trading point.
tn rr
M
orray
Leghorn Pullets, 30 cents each at
Leesley Hatchery, Greenwood, Nebr.
- Mrs. Fred Drucker and daughter,
Miss Dorothy were in Omaha last
Friday, visiting with friends and do
ing some shopping.
Ephraim Oaks and son, of near Lib
erty, were visiting relatives and old
friends in Murray several days dur
ing the past week.
Guy Wiles and family were in Lin
coln Tuesday, where they attended
the state fair and renewed acquaint
ance with old friends.
The Library Board has arranged to
have the library building painted and
otherwise improved, the work to be
started in the near future.
R. A. Noell and wife moved last
week to the Melvin Todd farm, a
short distance north of Union, where
Mr. Noell will be employed.
Workmen are constructing a cave
at the home of Mr. Daily on the farm
owned by Mrs. Harrison Smith, which
is located on the Plattsmouth-Rock
Bluffs road.
Parr Young and family went to
Omaha last Thursday, where they
were looking after some business
matters and the family was visiting
with friends for the day.
Robert Long, who has been work
ing for Ivan Balfour on the farm
southwest of Nehawka during the
past few weeks, completed his work
there and returned home this week.
Bert Jamison, of Weeping Water,
was looking after some business mat
ters in Murray Tuesday forenoon. He
said he and the good wife planned to
attend the state fair at Lincoln on
Wednesday.
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Kennedy were
guests for the afternoon and evening
last Sunday at the home of their
friends, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Creamer,
where they enjoyed a fine visit and
a delicious supper.
A number of the people of Murray
were in Union last Sunday to attend
the reunion of members of the Queen
family, held at the home of A. D.
Crunk. Mrs. Crunk was a Queen be
fore her marriage.
John Hart, of Omaha, who deals in
fish and similar commodities, was in
Murray Monday of this week with a
load of fish which he was selling, and
also visited with his friend, Newton
L. Grubbs, the blacksmith.
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Claggett and
daughter ' and the mother of Mrs.
Claggett spent the day at the home of
Georgia Creamer, Mrs. Claggett be
ing a niece of Mrs. Creamer.
, Mrs. Joe Campbell is on the sick
list this week. We hope she will soon
be herself again.
George Eglan, of Niobrara, was a
visitor in Murray Monday, stopping
here a short time while on his way
with a truck load of CCC boys from
the Niobrara camp to attend the state
fair at Lincoln. There were 42 in the
group, all of whom were pleased with
the privilege they were to have cf at
tending the big show.
George Nickles and TV. G. Boedeker
were at Weeping Water last Saturday,
where they attended the meeting call
ed to discuss WPA projects that might
be secured in this county. They were
interested in learning what might be
undertaken in Murray under this new
work relief program that will provide
jobs for the unemployed.
The tube that carried the water
under the crossing between the Chris
tian church and lumber yard, has
given out and a new one was placed
there this week, the work being done
by Herman Wohlfarth, road over
seers, assisted by Tom Jennings and
as well George Nickles, who was out
lending them some aid in getting the
job completed.
Mrs. Ona Lawton and sen, Lyle, of
Omaha, were visiting in Murray over
Labor day and Tuesday, during the
vacation of Lyle from his work in the
city as an employee of the Home Own
ers Loan corporation. They were
guests at the home of Mrs. Lawton's
brother, Albert Young and wife, and
also transacted business matters dur
ing the time they were here.
Ivan Deles Dernier and Alfred Gan-
T PAYS to be careful,
but it pays better to
have dependable automo
bile insurance that you
know will promptly re
imburse yon in case of
any accident.
Searl S. Bavis
offici:si :.n floor
Platts. Stt- Bank BIdQ.
w
m. i
A
semer were in Weeping Water last
Saturday, where they were attending
the WPA meeting held at the Farm
Bureau office, being interested in get
ting some assistance in the way of
providing better farm to market roads
in this part of the county, which ap
pears to be one of the favored types
of projects under the new work re
lief program.
Jasper Queen, who has been visit
ing here for the past week or more
at the home of his sister, Mrs. Font
T. Wilson, ia company with his wife,
departed for Los Angeles, where he is
making his home at this time. While
here they enjoyed a splendid visit
with the relatives and old friends in
this part of the country. They are
making the trip by auto and seek to
take advantage of all the good weath
er possible, enjoying the sights as
they go along.
Murray Schools Open
The Murray schools opened Monday
with a good attendance, in fact there
were more registered than attended j
during the last school year. The
teachers thi3 year are Prof. Greer, su
perintendent; Lola Davis, in charge
of the Intermediate grades, and Miss
Catherine Long in charge of the Pri
mary room.
For Sale or Trade
I have a good 1929 Chevrolet coach
in extra good condition. See me for
price. Van Allen, Murray, Nebr.
Enjoyed Visit in Missouri
While Jasper Queen and wife were
here from the west for a visit and to
attend the Queen family reunion, they
made a trip down to Boliver, Lowery
City and Fairplay, Mo., where they
have relatives, and were accompanied
accompanied by ihe Misses May and
Neta Wilson and Robert Sedlock, of
Plattsmouth. They enjoyed a most
pleasant visit with the folks there,
whom they had not seen for a num
ler of years, and aiso enjoyed the
fine scenery down that way, even
though the California members of
the party had seen much in this line
cn their trip here. There is some
thing about the Missouri scenery that
is different and impresses itself on all
who visit that part of the country.
Parents Made Happy
Earl Terhune, who visited at Hum
bold, where Mrs. Terhune has been
staying with her parents the past few
weeks, reports that the stork brought
them a fine baby bc;y Sunday after
noon at BM5, the flnrt-to come into
their home. The new arrival tipped
the beam at six and a half pounds.
Beth mother and son are doing nice
ly, and with good nursing the father
is expected to pull through. Congrat
ulations, young man, and may you live
to see many happy years.
Death of John Eoschar, Age 83
John Hoschar, a brother of L. C.
Hoschar and uncle -of Dan Hoschar,
who has conducteAvi. blacksmith shop
at Seymour, Iowa, for many years
past, working at his trade up until
a short time ago when he secured a
younger man to take charge of the
business, passed away last week at
the age of S3 years. His brother and
nephew went over to attend the fun
eral. Visiting with Friends Here
Frank Ozbun, who worked here a
number of years ago for the Murray
esoranoe
We sell a policy cover
ing all personal injuries
resulting from an auto
mobile accident.
If you drive or ride in
an automobile you need
this protection. The cost
is small.
CALL OR SEE
INSURANCE-
AND
BONDS
Phone- 16
Plattsmouth
Automobile
Garage, when it was operated by A.
D. Bakke and was located where the
Garage of Murray now is, but who
has been making hom home at Wau
kee, Iowa, for a number of years, was
a visitor in Murray on Labor day and
was visiting with his many friends
here. He was accompanied by Mrs.
Ozbun and their daughter, Marion,
as well as by his father, E. E. Ozbun,
and aunt, Mrs. M. S. Briggs, at whose
home they were guests for over the
week end and labor day.
Purchases Albin Cafe
B. J. Wagener, of Hidden Timber,
South Dakota, has purchased a busi
ness in Murray, the deal being under
way for several weeks and being con
sumated on last. Saturday when Mr.
Wagener became the owner of the
cafe and amusement parlor which has
been owned and operated by Harry
Albin heretofore. The place has been
doing a good business and will be
managed by a son of Mr. Wagener,
who has been making his home here
for the past month or more. Mr.
Albin has not yet decided what he
will do, but for the present he is still
in Murray, but is looking about for
some business proposition.
Seek Aid for Library
Mesdames W. L. Seybolt and J. H.
Farris, who composed a committee
representing the Murray Public Li
brary, were over to Weeping "Water,
where they were attending the meet
ing held at the Farm Bureau office to
discuss possible WPA projects, look
ing to the end of securing assistance
lor the Murray library. It is the de
sire of the members and all interested
that additional books be obtained for
the use of the library and it is hoped
some means can be devised to this
end.
There is at this time something over
600 books and some new ones are to
be purchased as soon as the selection
or same can be made, for there is suf-
Service
Printing Your
The PLATTSMOUTH JOURNAL
yet
In Plattsmouth advertisers have
never been refused the little "ex
tras" that mean added interest in
their stores. No Plattsmouth store
has ever requested a story concern
ing new store improvements, new
store services or any other matter of
interest that he has not received it
from the Plattsmouth Journal with
out charge. No such request ever
will be refused.
IT
PLATTSMOUTH JOURNAL
"A
ficient money on hand to take care of
such purchases. The improvement of
the library building, etc., as well as
repairing of books, cataloging, etc.,
are all matters that could be handled
under WPA.
At the last meeting for election of
officers all of the present ones were
continued in their respective places
for the coming year, they being: Mrs.
W. L. Seybolt, president and Miss
Lola Davis, secretary-treasurer.
The board reports that at the pres
ent time there are two books missing,
"Little reople" and "The Lantern in
Her Hand." Anyone having or know
ing the whereabouts of either of these
books, please bring same in or com
municate with the library.
SHXADER REUNION
On Sunday at the home of Mr. and
Mrs. Homer Shrader and family the
reunion was featured by the fine pic
nic dinner in which all of the fam
ilies had come with well laden bas
kets of the good things to eat and
which made a most appreciated fea
ture of the occasion. The reunion
was concluded by singing.
Those present were Mr. and Mrs.
Albert Claggett and daughter. Alma,
of Denver, Colorado; Mr. and Mrs.
B. M. Gerlach and son Shrader and
daughter Georgiann of North Bend,
Nebr.; Mr. and Mrs. T. B. Shrader
aad Baby Marland Yvonn, all of Her
man, Nebr.; Mr. and Mrs. Floyd
Gaur of Cedar Creek; Robert Shrader
Nehawka; Mr. and Mrs. Alex Rhoden
and son, Shrader, daughter, Gerald
ine, Mr. and Mrs. Don Rhoden, Mr.
and Mrs. Harry Albin and son, Del-
i lj v. 1 L , uauguici, .ri h i n iit , nxi. aiiu
Charles Wolfe, all of Murray; Mrs.
Ima Yardley, Mrs. Georgia Creamer,
Mae Shrader, Velma Shrader, Mr. and
Mrs. Elmer Yardley and daughter,
,Helen Lula, Ell of Tlattsmouth; Har-
ley Maneer, Alex Campbell, John Not
tleman, Joe Kracha.
With
ides
When a merchant orders an adver
tisement he is entitled to more than
just the space he pays for in a news
paper. Yen get that added service
from .
news stories which provide the
fi7leader interest" that makes your
advertisement worth more
a handbill?
The Plattsmouth Journal has or.o
prime purpose and that is to be of
service to every advertiser no mat
ter whether that advertiser carries a
full page advertisement or a single
column one inch advertisement. Be
ing read in 3,000 homes each week,
the Journal offers an unezcelled med
ium through which store news may
be told to the prospective buyers of
this trade territory.
PAYS TO ADVERTISE IN THE
Newspaper People Pay to Read"
UKIFOEM DEIVING LAWS NEEDED
One of the greatest barriers 1
fair and efficient enforcement of traf
fic laws is the lack of uniformity in
the traffic codes of different spates
and towns.
As one traffic authority recently
pointed out, when he drives from one
state to another, he doesn't have to
stop and charjrc Ills nickels, clinics
and dollars into other and different
kinds of money; but, if he wishes to
operate his car in accord with the
law, he must at once revise his driv
ing habits. He leaves a state where
the maximum rpeed allowed is -1
and then muct remember that l.e ma?t
hold his car down to 20. He has been
accustomed to traffic lights and signs
placed on corners now they are
overhead in the middle of streets
where he is liable to miss seeirg them
entirely.
Suppose that motor manufactures
pursued the same practices vr, many
city and states. Suppose a man who
had been drivine; the Smith ez.r want
ed to trade it in for the new Jones
model, and discovered that :: had a
different kind of transmission, re
quired a different l:ird of fjel. and
presented major points of diTerence
in other respects. Stu-h a policy would
e no more tbsurd than is the exist
ing policy of our governmental units
in adopting traffic codes that are
utterly at variance with thc;e of a
town or str.tc 10 miles away.
The Uniform Vehicles CoJe and
Model Municipal Ordinance, prepared
by traffic experts, could and shouM
be adapted by every town i.nd city.
-This would not only pive the motor
ist a break it would immensely ex
pedite the efficer.cy cf our police anil
traffic patrol departments, ar:d make
an important contribution to t'n7
cause cf highway s-fety.
Journal ads bnn you new? of
timely bargains. Read tncml
f!
senien
than
ml
