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About Nebraska advertiser. (Brownville, Nemaha County, N.T. [Neb.]) 1856-1882 | View Entire Issue (July 13, 1876)
Hi III .. - Ml ' - -- THE ADVERTISER B. W. FAIBBBOTHKli. T. a 1IACKKK. i?A I R BROTHER & II ACKER Iuljllle:ts ah'l Proirletajrs. tubli?hed Eyery Thury ay Morning AT BlioWCVJIE. NEBRASKA. THE ADVERTISER O.W.rArBBKOTirEE. T.C.HACOSB.t FAIllBROTIIER & HACKER1, Publishers & Proprietors. ADVERTISING RATES. One Inch, one yr ,,, , ,.,,,,. ,,., .?W 0-3' , IS Off' Two Inches, one year Eai&'sncceedlrig Inch, per year- . -. TERMS, IN ADVANCE : One copy, one year 'SI SO One copy, sis months I V" One copy, three monllis j63- No pnpersent frottllheonice until paid for. 5 00- regal advertUebieJits at legal rates-One square." (10 lines or JTbapareJI, or less) first Insertion, ll.oo eachsabseqnentlnsertlon,50c. ' gS All transient advertisements must be paid for In advance. ESTABLISHED 1856. Oldest Paper in the State.) BEOWETTLLE, NEBRASKA, THURSDAY, JULY 13, 18T6. VOL. 21. 2ST0. 3. ftEADIXG HATTER OXEVEItYPAGE OFFICIAL PAPER OF THECOUXTY, da -r History of Nemaha County, Hob, Prepared and Bead July 4 1S7G, i? JIOBT. W. FUKFAS, In Conformity with a Joint Resolution of Con cresi and the Proclamation of thn.OTcrnor of Nebraska, and Fuhlishcil In ItespOnse to a Kesolation by the Audience Be fore whom DeliTcred. Mr. 'resident. Ladies and Gentlemen: I thank the oommlttee for the hon or of being selected to prepare the historical paper on this historic day and occasion. Having been an active participant in the labors of the coun ts TVrritnrv nnil Htato for over zu years, It la with Inexpressible pride and pleasure that I retrospect the past, and behold the results produced by the combined efforts of all who have taken part. I regret being absent when select ed that the time since notified that the present duty wns devolved upon mo, has been so short that it has been Utterly Impossible to do justice In the premises. Before proceeding, and that we may the better understand the objects of this historical preparation, I will read ,.tho joint resolution by Congress, to gether with the proclamation by the Chief Exeoutlve of our own State: ' Be it resolved by (lie Semite and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assem bled, That it be and is hereby reoom mendod by the Senate and House of Representatives to the people of the several States, that they assemble In their several counties or towns on the approaching Centennial Anniversary of our National Independence, and .that the3' cause to have delivered on such day an historical sketch of said county or town from its formation, aud that a copy of said sketch may be filed, In print or manuscript, in the blerk's office of said county, and an additional copy, in print or manu script, be. filed in the office of the Li brarlati'of Congress, to the Intent that a complete record may thus be ob tained of the progress of our institu . tlonn during tho First Centennial of bur oxlstence. Approved, March 13, 187G. Therefore,- In compliance with such resolution, I do recommend that the people of this State assemble lu their several towns and counties on the 4th day of July, 187G. and that they cause to have delivered an historical sketch of said town or county from Us foun . datlon, and that copies thereof be filed In tho office of the county olerk of said county, and In the office of the Librarian of Congress, aB by said res olution requested. In testimony whereof T have here unto set my baud, and caused L.S. to be affixed tho great seal of the State of Nebraska. . Done at Lincoln, tho Capital, the 25th day of April, A.D. 1376. Silas Garber. ' By the Governor : Bruno Tzsciiuck, Sec'y of State. Thus It will be seen that the prime objeot sought Is, to show the progress and development under our form of Government and Institutions during the first century of National exist ence. Nebraska and Nemaha county .having been contributors for nearly one quarter of tho century 22 years the immediate purpose Is to ascer tain,, and show what they have done, and how well they have performed their part In tho great onward march , qf civilization. Our Bpeoial field Is Nemaha County. In contemplating tho duty devolved upon me looking looking over the field of labor I con fess to a feeling akin to that experi enced by a devout old christian, who, " in tho evening of life, desiring to re turn thanks to his Maker for the man ifold blessings enjoyed, and with c which he was surrounded, exclaimed, lu the fullness of a grateful heart: Where, oh Lord, shall I commence torpralse thee, and when commenced whore shall I end !" .The custom of celebrating anniver saries Is of Buoh ancient date, and suoh 'Jts universality, that mention need , only be made that it originated with the completion of the flrot cyole of tlmoBtm exists, and will continue while time lasts. Tho objects, how ever, it is not only well, but important to consider. The business man, at 'the close of a year's labor, compares Receipts with expenditures, and strikes the balance, to learn whether profits , 'or losses are to be entered up. This is the principle simplified, and which should govern on such occasions as this. An epigramio writer has said : "It Ib not so Important what au indi vidual or a nation may have been, even what they now are, as what they may become!" Wo learn what we "have been, what we are, aud devise what we-may become. HISTOICY. The first settlements made in this 3 county were directly on the Missouri River. In fact It was then thought, by even the most Bangui ne, that the then generation would scarce live to see the interior developed. Well do I remember how fanatical aud even fool-hardy Henry Harmon, Samuel ' Leeper, Peter Whitlow, John Long, and others, were oalletJ who came as far from the river as this beautiful and fertile valley. "Good enough land, perhaps, but it will not i wo live,"' exclaimed settle up while the skeptical. "37fving evidences speak to the con trary to-day, in shape of waving .fields and improved farms as far as vision can extend, and by the numbers- g&thared'-here as bappy families and ff. prosperous people. Tba-Stnie of Nebraska was origin ally ft portkrti: of Territory known in our National History as the "Louisi ana Purchase." It was discovered abd taken possession of originally, in acoordanco with the law of discovery, by La Salle, the French trader, and passed uuder the nominal rule of Louis the Great 1682. Inl763France ceded the territory to England. It was afterwards taken forcible posses sion of by O'Reilly for the crown of Spain. Thr, territory was still after ward wrenched from Spain by the French, the original discoverers. Under the administration of Jeffer son, President of the United StateB, In 1S02, negotiations were opened for the purchase of tho province. In December, 1S03, the Territory of Lou isiana formally passed into the pos session of the United States, and be came American domain, open to Amerlcau'enterprlse, American free dom, and American settlers. The Indian title to the lands was extinguished by treaty, and the Ter ritory of Nebraska organized by an act of Congress known as the "Kan-sas-Nebraska Bill, May 23, 1854. The first officers of the Territory, appoint ed by President Pierce, were Francis Burt, of South Carolina, Governor; Thos. B. Cumming, of Iowa, Secreta ry ; E. Estabrook, of Wisconsin, Dis trict Attorney ; M. W. Izzard. of Ar kansas, Marshal; F. Ferguson, of Michigan, Chief Justice ; Jos. Brad ly, of Indiana, and E. R. Hardin, of Georgia, Assistant Justices. Napoleoan P. Giddings, then a resi dent of Savannah, Mo., was first Del egate elected to Congress from the Territory. He never resided in Ne braska; Is yet living in Savannah, I am Informed. The Governor and Secretary arrived In the Territory on the 8th of October, 1854. The Governor died in about three weeks after his arrival, and the duty of organizing the Territory de volTed upon the Secretary, T. B. Cuming, who thus became Acting Governor. Ne-bras-ka Is an Indian word, sig nifying: "Ne," water "bras-ka,'1 wide shallow ; Wide shallow water Is, thereforo, the true interpretation. Nl braska was the name originally of what we now call tho Platte River. From it the Territory and State took the name. What Is now Nemaha County was a portjon of the land occupied by the Otoe Indians, aud was designated as the "Otoe Country," originally. Ne-ma-ha Is also an Indian word, or name. "JYe." aa before explained, signifies "water" iu tho Otoe Indian vernacular. "Ma-ha" was the name, originally, of the tribe of Indians yet lu the northern port of tho SUito. known as "Omahas." This fact Is substantiated by the narativo of Lew is & Clark, of early Missouri River exploration notoriety. Also by old Omaha Indian documents now in the possession of tho writer. Aa to tho signification of the word "Ma-ha," it Is learned from Indian tradition that at an early day, "away hack," sayB the tradition the tribes of Indians now in Nebraska came in a body from tho eastern part of the county, pass ing into what was afterward denom inated the "Great American Desert," south of the present State of Kansas. A detour was made Into the iuterior, searching for new homes. They be came divided, and coming back east ward, settled in bands, or colonies, bo to speak, along, or near tho Missouri River. These bauds, in course of time, became separate and independ ent tribes. The band now known as the "Omaha Tribe" settled near the mouth of Omaha Creek, a point in Northern Nebraska nearly opposite Sioux City, Iowa. They were then the baud farthest north, or farthest up the river. The literal Interpretation of the word "ma-ha" Is "farthest up" "up yonder." The name "Ma-Iia'1 was given them, because, and to sig nify that they were the band farthest up the river of these who came west together. Tho full and complete in-; terpretation of the word, therefore, is "the Band of Indians farthest up the river." Ne-ma-lm was a name since given by tho Indians to the stream on the banks of which we aro to-day as sembled, and means, properly and simply interpreted, Omaha River, or the waters of the Ma-has, The coun ty was named for the stream, or in popular parlance, "named after" it. Tho Missouri river was originally called by the Indiana "Ne-shu-da" signifying "muddy water.11 Ne-o-bra-ra river, in the northern part of theStato, signifies "running ivater." What is now Nemaha county, was at first a part of what was called For ney county in first organizations made by proclamation of the acting Govern or of the Teritory, Thomas B. Cum ing, of date November 12th, 1854. The following was given in the proc lamation as the boundaries of Forney county : "Beginning at tho Mouth of Camp Creek, thence to the head waters of the same, thence due west to a point 60 miles from the Missouri river, thence due south 20 miles, thence east to the head waters of the Little Ne maha river, thence along tho north bank of said river to the Missouri riv er, and thence along he Missouri riv er to the place of "bpgining." It will be seen that the these boun daries included west what is now Johnson oounty, and north and south along the Missouri river from the mouth of the Nemaha below Nemaha City, to the mouth of Camp Creek above Pern. At the first election held in the county, as provided for in the said proclamation, but one voting preoinct was provided for, That wa3 at the house of Richard Brown, in Brown ville. Allen -L. Coate and Israel Cummiugs were appointed by tho Governor Judges, and A. J. Benediot and Stephen Sloan clerks of the elec tion. In organizing the county, the Governor appointed oounty officers, A. J. Benediot Probate Judge, H. W. Lake County Clerk and Register of Deeds, and Thomas B. Edwards, Sheriff. The proclamation al6o fixed the day for holding the first eleotlon for members of the first Territorial Legislature, on the 12th day of De cember, 1854. At that election Rich ard Brown was elected to the Council what we, under state organization designate Senate, under territorial ex istence was called Council, and Joel M. Wood and William A. Finney to the House. At the first session of tho Legisla ture, In the winter of 1854-5 the coun ty of Nemaha was organized and its boundaries defined, as now existing on the Missouri river, and running west along the line between Otoe and Nemaha 24 miles, Subsequently, at the session of the legislature in 1857-8 the western boundary line of the county was changed, taking off a half township and adding it to Johnson county. Within the present boun daries are contained 295,795 and one one-hnndredth acres of land. 248, 717 and ninety-four-one-hundredth acres are returned as taxable for rev enue Dumoses. All the lands in the county aro either pre-empted, Home steaded, or taken up by private entry. A few homesteads not proven up, are not yet taxable, and do not appear up on the tax-list. It was my Intention when consent ing to prepare this paper, to have made a comparative statement as to population, value of property, busir ness and the general features of pro gress and development, for eaoh year from the commencement to tho pres ent, particularly, the agricultural pro gress and present status. This I find Impossible to do within the brief time at my command. Besides it would be entirily too volumnious to be read or listened to at a single hearing. The real object designed will be ac complished by comparing the present with the beginning, thus ohowiug the progress and development made within the given time. With this, therefore, I shall content myself, hop ing for acceptance at your hands. Tho first settlement made In the county, after the extinguishment of the Indian title to the lands, was made at Brownvllle, August 29th, 1854. Until that time, of course, thprwwas notliijiB:. No population, no property, no valuation, uo busi ness nothing. Tho first census was taken by the U. S. Marshal In 1855. That I present in detail. It showed : Mnles 21 and over. .... 150 Males between 21 ami 10 41 Males under 10 143 Females 10 and over 120 Females under 10 . 111 Total population In 1555 601 The population as shown in 1876 is 10,864. The first valuation of property was made the same year 1S55. The total footing showed the value of all the property $3,S50. The total valuation this year, 1876, as shown by the offi cial records, Is $2,413,797.00. Taking Into consideration exemptions, eva sions, aud the general disposition to place property at the lowest possible figures for taxation.it la safe, In order to reach the real valuation, to multi ply the shown total by four. This will make an actual total valuation in the county nearer, $S,G54,18S.00. Oth er exhibits mads herein, taken from actual figures, will sustain this posi tion. In the matter of Educational pro gress, we have no data as to the num ber of pupils in the first school taught in the county. The first school house proper, ereoted in tho county, was built in Brownville in the fall of 1856. Being a member of the School Board at that time, I remember the contraot prioe of the building was $S00. The lot on which it was ereoted cost about $150. Some extra expenses occurred during construction, making the en tire Educational investment at that I time about $1,000. This may be con sidered the commencmsnt. To-day, the official records show 74 organized operating School Districts in the county, with 3,274 pupils, 104 teach ers, to whom was paid, the past year, $16,592.00 teacher's wages. The total valuation of school property belong ing to the county proper, Is $58,145.00. This does not include the value of school lands. The number of acres of school lands in tho county Is about 16,433, being sections 16 and 36 in each township, or one-eighteenth of tho eutiro lands, less in fractional townships not showing these seotions. The value of thsas landB, at the mln- mum price per acre, fixed by law $7 is $115,031.00. 8,309 aores of sohool lands have already been sold, for the total sum $78,513.30, or nearly $9.50 per acre. Tho total valuation of the State Normal School property in the oounty buildings and landa attaohed Is $49,500. This will give Nemaha county n grand total of Educational valuation, in dollars and cents of $222, 676.00. In the matter of commercial pro gress and development, correct data cannot be obtained, and such infor mation as conld be procured, would require months to collect. The near est approximate idea can be obtained, perhaps, by comparing the bnsinesB transactions of the First National Bank, Brownvllle, from 1857 to the close of the year 1875. In 1857 Its leans wera,......-..........S17,279.C5 r " deposits " . ..... .... 20,207.10' " " It paid out . . 10,393.05 " " Its exchange waa .. 0,035.05 Total business of the year.. In 1875 Its loans -wore $92,001.93 " " deposit " - 620.525.17 " " It paid out 569,434.13 " " Its exchange was 347,824.35 Total business of the year $1,636,353.09 The foregoing Is a correct history of tho county, and, perhaps, as accurate an exhibit of the material growth and development as can be furnished'. BEGINNINGS. Really the first town-site, the first stock of goods, and the first business transacted in the county, was at St. Deroin. A Half Breed Indian, Joseph Deroiu, laid out the town in 1353 ; and Robert Hawke, nowthe leading mer chant in Nebraska City, erected a house and opened a stock of goods there the same season. As this was before the extinguishment of the In dian title, and, in fact, upon lands not embraced in the treaty extinguishing title, the transactions at that, point, und at that day, could properly only be regarded as an Indian trading post. It is, however, an important and prominent item, or feature In the his tory of the county. All the lands be tween the Big and Little Nemaha rivers, along the Missouri river, and running back ten miles, were reserved in the treaty between the U. S. Gov ernment and Indians at Prairie du Chien in 1830, for the benefit of Half Breed Indians ; and waa known as the Half Breed Reservation. In 1855-0 by an act of Congress, the lands on this Reservation were snrvey ed and allotted to individual Half Breeds, and they Invested with the title in fee simple. Until this time, neither Territorial nor county author ities exercised any jurisdiction. Sev eral election contests grew out of white persons voting, who had gone on those lands. Richard Brown, of Tennessee, then directly from Holt county, Missouri, was the first white settler, proper, In the county after extinguishment of the Indian title. Ho located August 29,1854, where the town of Brownvllle now stands. The town was named after him. The wife of Thomas B. Edwards was the first white woman to Bettle In tho county, coming the same season, and shortly after Mr. Brown. The first house erected, was by Talbott Edwards, on the same ground where the American House, Brownvllle. now stands, tno some season. The first farm house, or claim cabin, was erected by John Long, the porr, ;.Vn ft. t la?il !XO :x&ti and occupied by Judge -.-.. 'fc west of Brownville. The first white ohild born In the county, wasa daugh ter of Mr. and Mrs. John Fitzgerald, Oct. 20, 1854. The first wedding, or marriage, was Samuel Stiersond Miss Nancy Swift, Oot. 1854, Rev. Joel M. Wood officiating. The first death was an infant child of Mr. and Mrs. John Mullis, jr., Sept. 1S54. The first reli gious organization and tho first in the Territory except at the Indian mission was at Brownville, by the Christian denomination, Jan. 1855 ; Rev. Joel M. Wood pastor. H. S. Tharpe taught the first school also first in Territory except at Iudian mission in Browuvillo, July 1855; the little old log building still stand ing a short dlatonce off Main street, near Alex. Robinson's shoe store, and last occupied as a meat shop, waa used as a school house. In this same bulld iug tho first court In the county was held in 1856. The first school build ing erected was the house now occu pied as a residence by Prof. W. Rich. It was built in 1856. The first Bchool district was "organized In Brownville June 21, 1856 ; A. J. Benedict, presi dent; Homer Johnson, Treasurer; R. W. Furnas, Secretary. This was the first school board In the county. The first store and stock of goods was opened In Brownville by Hoblitzell & Co. March, 1855. Isaac T. Whyte and Wm. Hoblitzell, from Oregon, Mo. They occupied a small log" house which then stood on tho ground in the rear of the present Chicago Lum ber yard. J. C. Deuser opened the first tin-smith shop in the same build ing in 1857. Wm. T. Den made his commencement with the first shoe shop, in part of the same' building. Mr. Den's small beginning, and pres ent condition In a business point of view, Is referred to as an individual instance of progress and development. Well does the writer remember seeing Den step off a steamboat one Sunday in Sept. 1856, with his "kit" and en tire worldly possessions under his arm. The first steam mill ereoted In the oounty was commenced by Henry and Jerome Hoover grand-father and father of William, Birl and Johnson Hoover and completed by Rlohard Brown, Samuel Rogers and Henry Emerson in 1855. The building Is the same now occupied by Abbott &Em erjT, wagoa makers and blaoksmiths, at the foot of College street, Brown ville. Tho first water mill was erect ed the same year by the same Hoovers at the site now occupied by Bennett mills on the Nemaha. 3oal M. Wood ereoted the first hotel building In 1S55 on the lot recently occupied by the Chicago Lumber yard, Brownville. It was afterwards kept by C. W. Wheeler and also Wm. Rossell. It was In this building, and while kept by Mr. Rossell, that a prominent ear ly day Nebrskian, noted for punctil ious use of language, discovered that "the beatllng bluffs adjacent to the ru ral village of Brownville afford mag nificent Bites for palatial residences." Dr. A. 8. Holradoy was the first reg ular practising physician to locate in the county. He came to Brownville, Nov. 1855. He also opened the first drugstore the followiug'year. Dr. Jerome Hoover located in the oounty in the fall of 1854 and brought his family in the spring of 1855. He was engaged principally in other pur suits, however, only practicing Inci dentally. Daniel L. McGary first put out his eign "Atttorney and Counselor at law," In Brownvllle February 1856. His office was In the email building still standing In the rear of Mc- Creery's drug store. If the walls of that little building oould speak, it could many "a tale unfold.' It was for years headquarters for all the"fun and frolic," In the county. The first post office was located at Brovnville in 1854. Richard Brown tho first post master. Frederick Swartz was the deputy and had charge of the of fice. Tho first quarters report posted up just $2.50. Mr, Swartz was the first "knight of tho Bhears and nee dle." He opened a tailor shop In 1854. He too was a pioneer In agri culture. He planted the first fall wheat In 1855. It was on sod break ing and yielded nearly 23 bushels to tho acre 200 bushels from 9 acres. The first 4th of July celebration was 20 years ago to-day, at Brownvllle. An old fashioned barbecue was gotten up Jjy Benj. Whyte, familiarly known to old settlers as "Uncle Benny." He had beef, buffalo, elk, deer, turkey aud pig split in halves and roasted over a ditch filled with live coals. The band of music that day was a single violin played by a young man named Jack Chastian. The only tune, or piece he could play, was an original one, called "Rush Bottom," and imitation of theold tune, "Leath er Breeches," R. J. Whitney was President of the day, Rev. J. W. Hall Chaplain Wm.Thurbur Marshal, H. W. Lake reader of the declaration, and R. W. Furnas orator, It was on this occasion that the President made the.memorable announcement "th e ordinance will remain Beated while the chore sings.' .The first Church edifice ereoted was that now occupied by tho Pres byterian denomination, Brownville. It was built in 1S5S, as a union church by the members of the several denom inations then iu town. T. W. Tiptou was to have been the first pastor, but owing 10 some cnanged m arrange Uent8 tuo hou3B wa3 firat occupied by tho Presbyterians. Tho first har ness' shop was by Wm. Rossell at Brownrnifl in 1856. The first aDDle rfcPC 1ieu?'crvi nppiCT rrrtu 17Itaa ,j . .'m ii iUl!omil8cou-3tv was bv Rev. J w. .ti.au, on the farm on Honey Creek, now own ed by Dr. Neal, of Peru. A tree grown from the seed of the first apple is now growing on the premises of tho writer, in Brownville. The first entry of government land made in the county, and territory, was tUe quarter section now owned by Luther Hoadly, aud known as South Brown ville. Wm. Ferguson, still of the oounty, was the pro-emptor. Entry made at the Laud office, Omaha, then the only one iu the Territory, February 1S57. The first shipment of wheat was mado by Theodoro Hill, August 1S59. The first brick made was at Brownville in 1856, by West fall and Marlutt. Tho first Telegraph office in the county and Territory, was opened in Brownville. The first tel egram received on Nebraska soil, was over the lino from St. Joseph Mis souri to Brownville, tho original of which is now in the possession of the writer. As a historical item it is giv en in full, aud reads: "St. Jo., Aug. 29, 60 R. W. Furnace: We are mest hoppy to return your greeting. The thermometer is at 100 and rising like h I. You ask the news: Douglas atook fully up to the thermometer and rising as rapidly. St. Joe drinx Nebraska's health. D. H. Pfodts & CUNDIPi. Eds. Gazette." This was in reply to a greeting sent and an enquiry for the news. The first office was in one of the upper rooms of the Hoadly building on Main street, now occupied by Capt. McGeo. When the office was looated it was tho intention then to have startbd the Hue from Brownville west. A grand toroh light procession was gotten up, commanded by Col. G. H. Nixon, of tho U. S. Land office, Dr. MoPherson knocked in the head of a barrel of wine, and there were less sober people in Brownville that night than before or since. T. W. Tipton, R. P. Hutchin3 and J. B. Wells were the first school examiners in the coun ty, were appointed by the Probate Judge. The U. 8". Laud office for the Ne maha Land District wa3 opened in Brownville September 22d 1857. G. H. Nixon, from Tennessee, first Reg ister, and C. B. Smith, from Omaha the first Receiver, and Eli Wilcox first clerk. The office wa3 afterward removed to Beatrice In Gage Co. The first county eflicers elected In Nemaha county were: A. J. Benedict, Pro bate Judge ; W. H. Hoover, Clerk and Register of Deeds ;- J. W. Cora man, Sheriff; Wm. Hoblitzell, Treas urer; Allen L. Coate, Surveyor. The first members of the Legisla ture elected in Nemaha coanty were Richard Brown, Council, ; Wm. A. Finney and S. A. Chambers, Repre sentatives. The first ferry in tho county was across the Missouri river at Brown ville in the spring of 1855, owned by Riohard Brown. Tho boat a flat was buitt by W. A. Finney. In 1857 W. A. Finney brought into service the first steam ferry boat, which con tinued in service until it Bunk in 1867. In 186S the present boat was brought to Brownvllle by a Mr. Ar nold, and piirohased by the present proprietors, Bailey McGee&Harman, who, under the business name of Brownville Transfer Co., conduct the business of ferry and transfer of rail road freight to and fro between Brownville and the railroad station on the K. C. St. Jo. & C. B. R. R. on the opposite side of the river. THE PRESS. Through the instrumentality of Dr. John MoPherson, the first printing press and office was established in Nemaha county. He came to Brown vllle In the fall of 185ij, on a "look west." He then owned a printing establishment in Tippecanoe, Ohio. He purchased an interest in the town site of Brownville, stipulating as one consideration, to bring his press and fixtures to Brownville, and publish, or have published a weekly newspa per for the term of one year, which was done. On the 9th of April, 1856 Robert W. Furnas arrived at Brown vlllo with the first printing press and fixtures, accompanied by John L. Colhapp and .Chester S. Langdon, who were the first printers. On the 7th day of June 1856, tho first number of the Nebraska Advertiser was Issued, Robert W. Furnas editor and publisher. It has been published regularly from that day to this, and at present, is the oldest continuously published newspaper in tho state. During the earlier daya of The Ad vertiser, Dr. A. S. Holladay was a frequent contributor to its columns ; ocoupied tho editorial chair during the absence of the editor proper, and was for a time the announced associ ate editor. The printing office was opened first in a small building then standing where the carriage house of Mr Hoadly now stands on Second street. Tho building is now on the opposite side of the street. Mr. Col happ, one of the original "jour print ers," serving in thatcapacity forsome years, afterward became editor and proprietor. While now engaged in other pursuits he is often found "at case" in the office. T. C. Hacker, one of the present proprietors of The Ad vertiser, has been successively in the office for the past 16 years. For a short time in 1857 a small dai ly paper, devoted to "fun' was issued from The Advertiser offico under the management of Langdon & Goff, under the significant title "The Snort." In I860 and 1S61, the Daily Bulletin rrrsi--idrd '"otn Tl A.T--"TJSErt of fice. In 1870 the Daily Advertiser was is sued. . . The "Nebraska Farmer," a month ly agricultural paper was published in Brownville, three years from Jan. 1st, 1859. Robt. W. Furnas editor and publisher. This wa3 the firat agri cultural paper in the State. In 1S57 Seymour Belden establish ed, edited and published the "Nema ha Valley Journal" at Nemaha City, continuing until 1S59. He then mov ed tho office to Brownville, when af ter publishing it for a short time sold to Fairbrother & Hacker, who return ed it to Nemaha City, and published the Nebraska Herald for near or quite two years. They sold the office to Hol!ada3r & Maun, who tcfok it to As pinwall. During a portion of tho year lSGf tho "Aspinwall Union" was edited and published at Aspinwall by Dr. A. S. Holladay and John H. Maun. It was taken to Brownville, there conducted by the same parties for a time, and like the Journal passed into the hands of The Advertiser managers. The office was afterward taken to Illinois. Another "Nemaha Valley Journal'1 was commenced In Brownville in 1S67, Hill & Blackburn editors and publish ers. Its existence was of but short duration, when tho office and fixtures were taken to Falls City, Richardson county. July 11th, 1S68, Holladay & Hill es tablished the Brownville Democrat, Dr. A. S. Holladay editor. About two years ago the name was changed to Nemaha Granger, under whloli' name it is still published. In 1866 campaign papers were pub lished at Peru and Nemaha City, printed elswhere. Proprietors names, if ever made public, are net now re membered. IN THE WAR. While Nemaha county was new, on tho border, and sparsely populat ed when the fate rebellion bfoXe oui;, she ciid her duty in furnishing volunteers for the the preservation of the Union. The first Regiment of Nebraska Infantry Wad organized In June 1861. Nemaha county furnish the whole of Company C. J. D. N. Thompson, Captain ; Thos. J. Majors, First Lieutenant; R. C. Barker, Sec ond Lieutenant; and W. A. Polock, Orderly Sergeant; at tho expiration of tho term of service Lieutenant Majors had been regularly promoted to the position of Colonel ; Sergeant Polock, to Captain, and Wilson E. Majors from, the ranks to Second Lien tenant. In 1862 the Second Nebraska Caval ry was organized. Nemaha county furnished Company C of this Regi ment, except six men. T. W. Bed ford, Captain; J. W. Coleman, First Lieutenant; H. M. Atkinson, Second Lieutenant : and J. B. Berger Order ly Sergeant. Atkinson waa promot ed to Adjutant of the Regiment f Ber ger, to Second Lieutenant ; and J. M. Beane, to Orderly Sargeant. Com pany E same Regiment was furnish ed from Nemaha county, except twenty-four men from Pawnee coun ty. Robt. W. Furnas, Captain ; Lew is Hill First Lieutenant; John H. Maun, Second Lietenant ; and A. S. Stewart, of Pawnee county, Orderly 8ergeant. Furnas was promoted to Colonel of the Regiment; Hill, to Captain; Maun, to First Lieutenant A. 8. Stewart, to Second Lieutenant: and.J. W. Bliss, to Orderly Sergeant, Company Si, same Regiment, except fifteen men was made up in Nemaha county. S. F. Cooper, Captain; O. B. Hewett, First Lieutenant; F. M. Chaplin Second Lieutenant; and S. W. Whiteside, Orderly Sergeant. There was also nearly a full com pany went from Nemaha county into the Missouri Fifth Cavalry. John 8. Miniok was Captain of Company D and G. W. Fairbrother, Lieutenant, In same company, in that Regiment both from Nemaha. There was alsd near another company went into Kansas Regiments. A. W. Mathews was Captain of Company G, Second Kansas Volunteers; and P. W. Straw, Lieutenant in the same company. B. B. Thompson and W. 0. Kernv were Lieutenants in the Eleventh Regiment of United States Colored troops. These officers are remember ed as from Nemaha county. Iu 1861 Robt. W. Furnas was ap pointed by the President of tho Unit ed Slates Colonel In the Regular Ser vice, and organized and commanded for one season, the 1st Indian Regi ment, composed of Seminole and Creek Indians. He resigned to take command of the 2d Nebraska Cavalry. Dr. A. S. Holladay was also appointed by the President, Surgeon of the 1st Indian Regiment. After serving tba greater part of the season, was taken sick and resigned. John L. Carson was appointed by the President Commissary of Subsist ence, with the rank of Captain of Cavalry. He served from,.the 13th of March, 1863 the date of his appoint ment to the close of the war. In the early part of the war, two independent companies were organ ized in the county for home purposes, but did not go into the service. They were the "Home Guards' and "Pad dock Guards." The latter named in honor of tho then Secretary of the Territory, now United States Senator from this State. There was dIbo a military organization in the county a3 early as 1855, called the "Nemaha County Guard9,' organized specially to be used In defense against Indian attacks and depredations in those early days. ClVlIi SERVICE. Ffdm Nemaha County has been choson in tho civil service, T. W. Tip ton, U. S. Senator; Samuel G. Daily, Member of Congress ; Robt. W. Fur nas, Governor of the State ; C. F. Stewart, Superintendent State Insane Asylum; J. M. MoKenzIe. State Superintendent Public Instruction ; .U. M. Atkinson, U. 8. Commissioner of Pensions and U. S. Surveyor Gen eral of New Mexico ; Wm. Daily. U. S. Marshal for Nebraska ; De Forest Porter, Assistant Justice for Arizona Territory ; Jno. P. Baker, Robt. W. Furnas, B. F. Lushbaugh, and Wm. Daily, U. S. Indian Agents ; Jno. L. Carson, H. M. Atkinson, T, W. Bed ford and C. G. Dorsey, U. S. Land Officers ; T. W. Tipton, A. S. Holla day, and T. J. Majors, U. S. Assessors Internal Revenue. banks. The "Nemaha Valley Bank," Brownville, was one of issue, and the first in the county. It was chartered by an act of the Territorial Legisla ture, January, 1856. Richard Brown and Ben. B. Frazler, Incorporators. It went Into operation In the year 1S57, Alex. Hallam, cashier. Tho brick building en Main Btreet, recent ly ocoupfed by Swan & Bro., grocers, was erected expressly for the use of thw bank. It was one of tho organi zationsknown u earlier daya a"3 "wild cat" banks. It collapsed with the pressure of 1857-8. Tho vault used by this bank is now owned aud used by the First National Bank, Brown ville. Nearly all tho old settlers can show some of the Nemaha Valley bills. They were nicely gotten up, and are good things to hold on to. June 19, 1857, B. F. Lushbaugh and Jno. L. Carson, under the firm name of Lushbaugh & Carson, arrived in Brownville and established a bank of exohange, discount and deposit, first in the small building on Main Btreet, odjoinin'g the Sherman House on the west. The copartnership was dis solved In November I860, and the business continued by Mr. Carson as a private bank until August 28, 1871, when its organization was changed to that of a National Bank of issue, under provisions of the Jaws of the United States. The officers elected were Jno. L. Carson, president: A. R. Davison, cashier; J. C. McNaugh ton, assistant cashier; and the follow ing old settlers as board of directors Wm. Frazler, H. M. Atkinson, W.T. Den, F. E. Johnson, M. A. Handley, W. D. Sbellenberger, and B. M. Bai ley. Ths organization has continued the same, except a change by reason of death of Sbellenberger. The taz es paid by this bank since its organi sation as a National Bank 1871 to 1876 a re State Taxes -.. . $ 052 15" County taxes . 6,595 C5 City taxes 3,030 CO Government taxes .... 5,674 23 Tolal In Hvo years S!5,715 S3 The "State Bank," BrownJvlRs,, one of exchange, discount and deposit, was organized under the gonoral in corporation act of the State, October 1, IS70. The first officers were Dl Remick, president;- Theodore Hill, vice-president f and Geo, P. Eaton, cashier. Tbe building it sow occa piea was erected expressly for its use. Its present officers are W. H. ilo Creery, president ; J. C. Deuser,- vice-? president; H. E. Gates, cashier,, and T. D. Shurts, teller. RAILROADS. . j . I Talk and paper rallroada, lnoident to the early day, were In vogue frotd the organization of the county., A oharter wa3 given by tho Legislature in the winter of 1S50-7 to the Brown ville and Ft. Kearney R. R. Co. .The. company Bhortly afterwar.dorganized, but did no work. The object was to construct a line west from Brownvllle to Ft. Kearney, and to operate in 'con junction with, a line to run across tho- country west from apme point on the. Mississippi river ; Keokuk nnd Qiiln oy wero both spoken of. In 1870 tho Brownvllle, Ft. Kearney, and Paoifio Railroad Co. was organized under the laws of the State, having in view the same objeot as the original organiza tion. Tho. officers were, H. C. Lett, president; Ira Moore, vice-president; John.L. Caraon, treasurer, and R. W. Furiia3, secretary. Jt passed Into non-. resident control. On tho 1st of Jan. 1S72 ten miles of tho road waa comple ted,, and a train of oara ran over it. The grading and preparation of ths. road-bed for the iron was completed to a connection with tho A. &.N. R. R. at TecuraBeh. The remaining his tory of the road ia familiar to all and need not be here reoorded. , In the meantime the Midland Pa cific R. R. Co. extended its lino ofi road from Nebraska City to Peru and Brownville. The first train of. para ran over the road, on the flrs6day:of. February, 1875, and baa continued to. tho present. The extension of this line la so far provided for, a3 to, be graded from Brawn.viUe to au lnterr section with the A, & N.- R. R. at Falls City, in Riohardson county BENEVOLENT ORGANIZATIONS. . The Masons have. at Brownvllle; Neinaha Valley Lodge No. 4 ; Brown vllle Chapter No. 4 ; Furnas Council No. 4; Mt. Carmel Commandary No. 3; Roso and Lilly Conclave No; 63; and. Adah ChapterEasternS'iar No. 2. At Peru, Masons; Peru Lodge No. 14. In Lafayette preoinot, Lafayette Lodge No. .24. At Hillsdale, Hopo Lodge No, 29. At Brownvllle, I. O. O. F. .Brawn-, ville Lodge No. ,5. At Nemaha City Nemaha City Lodge No. 40. . At Brownvllle, Knights of PtfiJilaa, Excelsior Lodge No. 15. . -. tr.1..1;' ' ' The order of Good .Templars haa 13 lodges in the county-at Aspinwall, Nemaha.CHy, Bedford, Bratton, Fair view, London, Arab School House, -Highland, Grant,; Sheridan, Prairie Union, Peru, and Mt. 2ftoii. . . , . The Sons of Temperance have ono Division, No 19, at Brownville;. t ; AGRICULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS'. The Nemaha County Mechanical, and Agricultural Assocfatfo'a, waa chartered by an act of tho legislature in 1857, and organi2ed in 1858. Ita first Fair wa3 held in 1853, In (Ho. building referred to as having been erected for the Nemaha Valley bank. Ita first officers were, D. C. Sandera,. presidont; J. W. Coleman, vicepresi-. dent; Jesse Cole, treasurer; R. W.. Furiiaa aecretary. The soclety.ownB. twenty acre3 of ground, and buddings adjoining South Brownville. There ara at. present thlrty-ond Grangea of tho Patrons of. Husbandry in the county. Aa to ffrst organiza tion, number of members, and other, data, I havo not been ablo to obtain. CHURCH BUILDINGS. At Brownville thero aro bu'lldingd erected and owned by the Presbyteri au, Methodist, Episcopalian, Baptist, and Catholic. At Peru, Methodist and Episcopalian denominations.. At NemahaCity, Episcopalian. AtHigh Iand, Methodist and Baptist. At each, Long Branch and Eebing.fJer man Lutheran. At London1, Metho-. dist and Christian. At Fairview,. Methodjst. In Aspinwall precinct, Welch Baptist. In Nemaha precinct, Cumberland Presbyterian. In Lon don precinct, Baptist. 2IILLS'. .. ... ,i I am unable to ascertain. when, and where the first flouring mill In the county, was ereoted,. or by whom. I am of tho impreasion that Alex.. Hal-. Iem erected what waa tho original. Glen Rock mills first. The mills run by water at present, aro Bennett's, owned byB.ennett& Webber; Allen's, by F". E. Allen ; Sheridan, by George Homewood ; Hallam'a by Thos. L. Hallam ; Higgins', by Jonathan Hig giu3, all on the Nemaha; There era eteam mills, one each, at Peru, Brown 7ilIeendSt. Deroin. TheoneatBrown ville, however, haa juat been,. torn down to make-room for the. clamorous demands of the Missouri river. post oyrf ces. - . , Thero are at pfesont the follpwin.. post offices In the county : At Brown ville, Peru, Nepiaha Clty,Aspinw.alIy. Hillsdale, St. Deroin, Sherman", Brat tou, Febing, Sheridan, Johnson, r3t., Frederick, Clifton, London, Glen Ro3k, Howard, and Grant. '. ?003 7AS3r. , ... In 1S65 tbe county, auth'orilfos.pur cbased land for the purpose of proved-. inga home for the uufortunateand . ppor of the county., In 1874 a build-, ing was completed on the south .half, of the north east quarter of section 35 town5ranga 35, near Nemaha City Thera sre atVpreeent eleven, Inmates. John Maiwelf, superintendent. "HE STATS NORtf JLL SCHOOL ' was located at Peru by anactoftlie. first Stata legislature, in ISSTt Through local and imiividtr&I enter- IConcluded on fourth jpctP.jf &w- . . ,. . .-.' v "