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About The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (April 1, 1940)
MONDAY, APRH'l, 1940. PLATTSMOUTH SEMI - WEEKLY JOTHUffAX PAGE THREE When Brigham Young Piloted His People West Fifteen Thousand Mormons Lived at "Winter Quarters" Near the Present Site of Omaha By KT.'CENE O. IkEAYFIEUD. 2885 Mary StrePi. Omaha An Interesting echo of the preat exodus of Mormon people from Nauvoo, Illinol3, which began in 184 5 a party of land voyagers be ing sent out that year to locate a new home for the faithful . . . fol lowing the assassination by a mob of President Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum, the "Great Patri arch," at the county jail in Car thage, has rather recently been teard along the banks of the Missouri river lor the first time by many men and women whose hair has turned gray. This means that until the fact was established, during the latter part of the first month of last year, by a historical research investigator, but few citizens of Nebraska knew that at Florence, a little city up the river from Omaha, there has stood, much as it was erected many years ago, the house in which Brigham Young, the most noted of all Mormon lead ers, lived at "Winter Quarters," from June. 184C, until May, 1848. his wives and children, a family of twenty-six. living there continuously until they were taken to Salt Lake City by President Young when he made his last trip across the plains in May, 1848. The only reason why this some what ancient house should have been so long generally unknown a9 the home of Erisham Young is that Omaha, the metropolis of the state hadn't a house in it until 1854, when a log-cabin was built by a non-resident claim company, the members of which lived on the Iowa side of the Missouri and periodically crossed over that year to pay tribute to the Indians, whose title to the land had not yet been extinguished, and by whose suffrage the claim company hoped to later establish, anfl did their right to valuable land located where the city of Omaha now stands Nor is there now living, bo far as ' known i a "man or woman who came west and located on the Iowa side of the river when the first Mormons came, in 1845. The building now has a tenant. Two small buildings in the rear were used by some of President Young's wives and off springs. The structures were erected by Jonathan Mitchell, a Mormon, of St. Mary, Iowa, and finished in the early spring of 1846, Brigham Young being the first to occupy the main structures. The main house is built along the southern scheme in vogue many years ago. It is a roomy affair, and stately, built of native lumber, saw ed from nearby trees, and from lum ber brought up the Missouri river on pioneer steamboats. The first story is constructed of brick, burned on the banks of the river, half a mile away, and shows but little wear. A veranda extends around the main building and a large fireplace is located in the great living room. Through an open ing in the veranda, in front, grows a huge pine tree, planted, no one knows how long ago, a row of other pines growing in the front yard. Off to the south is the old wine cellar, now used as a garage. The two smaller buildings, in the rear are two-stories high, half brick and half frame. Some necessary repairs to the framework have been made, but the general contour of the three houses is the same as when erected and occupied by Brigham Young while waiting for the establishment of what he termed, in after years, an "earthly paradise beyond the des ert. Out in front of the main building, in a small city park, is yet the Tam oub "Brigham Young cottonwood tree," planted, asserts the late Presi dent Joseph F. Smith, head of the Mormon church in Salt Lake City, by President Young, in 1846. It is mas eive, with a wide spread the largest cottonwood, perhaps, In Nebraska. President Smith occasionally visit ed Florence, his mother being buried there. He was a small boy when President Young led the Mormons westward, and accompanied them. He often recalled the planting of this tree, which has become a Ne braska memorial to the intrepid man who piloted his people away from devastated Nauvoo. History of Brigham Young While doubtless many thrilling incidents cluster around this old home , of the great Mormon apostle, yet If they do, they are buried with the pioneer past, as was the house Itself until forced to be historically appreciated by one who delves into the forgotten. The present genera- PIONEER CLUB WOMEN U MISS OLIVE JONES Who has Served Plattsmouth as Librarian 52 Years, longer than any Woman has ever been known to Serve. tion has generally supposed Brigham Young lived, as did his followers, in adobe houses and whip-sawed cabins, at "Winter Quarters." In this belief, they were mistaken. Brigham Young was a man of un usual energy and farsightedness. His association with the Mormons dated from 1832, when he left the Baptist church and associated himself with the Church of Jesus Christ of Lat ter Day Saints, which had been organized by Joseph Smith, at Man chester, New York, in 1830. The same year he was ordained an "elder" and in 1844 chosen president to fill the vacancy caused by the death of hi3 predecessor. He died in Salt Lake City, August 29, 1877. It was by the orders of President Young that a Btrong body of men and eighty wagons left Nauvoo in 1S4 5 to seek an asylum where the saints could worship as they wished, thev declaring their persecutions were unbearable in their old home. Various convoys of Mormons left Nauvoo in 1846. not waiting for a report from the party sent out, set tling all the way from the Missis sippi to the Missouri river. Some of them, as well as some of the explor ers, settled at St Mary and Kanes ville Iowa, across the river from the present Omaha, and some at famous "Winter Quarters" -rnow Florence. During 1846, 16,000 Mormons cross- ri thp MiaKisRiTini rivr with their animal3 and vehicles. President Young came west in June, 1846, and with him all the Mormons then liv ing in Illinois. By the close of 1846 large numbers of Mormons were liv ing in cabins and adobe houses on both sides of the river, near Omaha. On the Iowa 6ide they erected many substantial buildings and entered extensively into commercial pursuits. The influx, was augmented from other state3 than Illinois. President Youns and his family crossed the Missouri river from St. Mary on June 29, 1846, and went direct to "Winter Quarters." During the winters of 184 6-7 there were 15,000 Mormons living at "Winter Quarters." They occupied 53 S cab ins and adobe houses, and 83 sod houses. Malaria and other diseases caught from the Indians who were plentiful there then, caused the i death of 600 people during the two! inclement seasons, who were buried j in the old Mormon cemetery that lies near the Brigham Young home in Florence. Exploring Parties Sent Out While there President Young caused to be erected an 58,000 grist mill, which was razed years ago, ex cept the frame structure. On April 7, 1847, by council agreement, Henry C. Kimble, an apostle, started west to explore. A second party was sent out the fol lowing day, a runner having come in who reported the great find of a "paradise" at Salt Lake so named for its inland magnificent body of salt water. All was soon commotion and President Young decided to lose no further time waiting, but to start immediately. With a strong party, he left April 9, 1847. With him went many families, some pushing hand carts, some carrying their belongings, and some traveling with ox teams, and a few had ,horses. President Young's party reached Salt Lake on July 21, 1847. First, he held de votional services and gave thanks for the deliverance of the Saints. Then he began to arrange matters by dividing the land into ten acre plots and locating his farmers all up and down the valley of the Wasatch range, from the salt lake to what is now Ogden. He laid out the city of Salt Lake, also in ten acre plots, and that is how Salt Lake came to have such long blocks with no alleys In them, unless private alleys of a more modern date. Leaving the work in the hands of his elders, Brigham Young took 107 7 men, and sufficient teams to accom modate them, and started, back to 'Winter Quarters," where the party arrived on October 31, 1847. Here' they were forced to remain until the following spring, owing to the late ness of the season. In May, 1848, President Young again started west ward, taking his family with him, the total number of people being 1,229, and 397 wagons, all leaded with grain, farm machinery, house hold effects and food. By July of that year all who had planned to go west had left and "Winter Quarters," which had a population of 15,000 only a year before, was practically deserted. Some of the Mormons, how ever, never left "Winter Quarters." They remained, raised families and became prosperous a small number of their crreat-grandchildren still making Florence their home. This, in brief, covers the wander ings of the Mormons under the direct supervision of Brigham Young, from .the time they were forced to leave Nauvoo up to the time they reached that wonderfully productive haven in the once trackless desert of Utah, where they have worked wonders along agricultural, commercial and educational lines. GOVERNOR' WEAVES CbMNG Arthur J. Weaver, former gover- nor, now a candidate for the repub lan nomination for United States 'coriatnr urill ha a riaitftr hero TVmra- day in the interest of his candidacy. Governor Weaver is well known here and a very large number is expected to be in attendance. The meeting will be held Thurs day evening at 8 o'clock at the dis trict court room, where Governor Weaver, pronounced liberal candi date, for the nomination, will pre sent his viev.-s. STATE COMMANDER HEBE From Friday's Polly Eugene A. Nutzman, state com mander of the American Legion, with his son, Neb, noted Nehawka high school football and basketball star. .were in the city today. Mr. Nutzman, who returned recently from the U. S. Veterans' hospital at Lincoln, is feeling much improved, and is much lighter after the course treatment. of LIKES NAVY FINE Louis A. Puis, Murray young man. who just recently enlisted in the United States navy. Is now at the naval training station at Great Lakes, Illinois. He likes the nervice fine so far and finds it very fascin ating in the training that makes up the day at the station. Friends who wish to write him may do so by sending the card or letter to the Naval Station. Great Lakes, Illinois. (Political Advertising) - .: NON-POLITICAL BALLOT " P7!!23!r?r? I W. A. MEmrSOM Candidate for Judge of ihc District Courii t t I CASS-OTOE-SARPY COUNTIES Able and Well Qualified by Training and Experience! ? ? t t Graduate UnS of Neb. Law College 30 Years Successful Practice! YOUR SUPPORT AT THE POLLS WILL BE APPRECIATED! -.. ........ - '7 -r -A MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT HEBE. FEDERATED CLUBS Our theme is "Adjusting Democ racy for Human Welfare." We be lieve we can help to do this through united efforts for peace, a better tin derstanding of public welfare and a spiritual reawakening. We feel if the intelligent people in the United States do not solve our problems, the unintelligent will. Therefore, it behooves us to have an educated citizenry. Our duty is to help to bring this about and help to mold public opinion in the lii;ht of our faith in this democratic form of government. We want in the next two years to help our young people in ever way. We think they are important as in dividuals despite the fact many are unable to secure employment and find their niche in life. We are ask ing each community in Nebraska to honor all young women and men rho reach their majority within the yoar. Make it a gala occasion, a party, at this meeting to point out each has a responsibiliay when he reaches the age of maturity. It was Theodore Roosevelt who said, "Everyone should be willing and able to pull his own weight." We want every senior club to sponsor a youth organization of some sort Scouts, Girl Reserves, Ca:3ip fire, Junior clubs, etc. u e must wort lor peace as we would work for our boys In war. A federated lub is a group, of women in every community who can be depended upon' to promote all things looking toward the betterment I of life. MRS. C. R. CALEY, President Nebraska Federation of Women's Clubs. History of the Cass County Federation Had Its Inception About Time the Present Senior Club Organizel Officers Who Served In 1922 members of Woman's clubs of Cass and Otoe counties he'd a get-together at the' home of Mm. R. P. Westover, president of the Plitts mouth Woman's club. Plans were then laid for a Cass county federa tion. A county and civic meeting was held at Plattsmouth in October of 1922. Another Cass county corven tion was held at Weeping Watur In 1925. In the spring of 1926 the county convention was held at Plattsmouth, and at this time the Cass County Federation of Women's clubs was organized, with the following offi cers: Mrs. H. C. Leopold. Plattsm Juth, president; Mrs. C. E. Tefft, Weeping Water, vice president; Mrs. Nelson Burger, Nehawka, secretary and treasurer. There were five federated and three non-federated clubs. In the fall of 1926, Mrs. Leopold (Political Advertising) .: ,K v I i 1 moved to Lincoln and Mrs. C. E. Tefft, vice president, acted as presi dent The first meeting of the Cass County Federation was held at Avoca on Tuesday, October 26, 1926, with Mrs. Minnie Brendle, president of the Avoca Woman's club as hostess. At this meeting we used the "By; Laws and Recommendations" sent us by the state office. Mrs. Tefft pre sided over the meeting. Mrs. Warren Ingersol, First District president, was a guest speaker. The second meeting was held at Plattsmouth with Mrs. L. L. Turpin, president of Plattsmouth club as the hostess. Before the time of holding this convention, the new president. Mrs. C. E. Tefft. had the by-laws typed and sent to each club in the county. These by-laws were adopted with some changes. Officers presiding were Mrs. Tefft, president; Mrs. Oscar Zink, vice pres ident, and Mrs. Nelson Burger, sec retary and treasurer. The guest speakers were Mrs. WT. W. Whitfield, newly elected district president, and Mrs. T. W. Johnson, of Omaha, state chairman of Public Welfare. There were 250 present. The third meeting was held at Nehawka October 3. 1928. Maple Grove and Triangle clubs extended the invitation. During the fall cf 1927, the Nehawka Woman's club was organized and they were asked to help entertain. Mrs. Owen Pollard, president of Nehawka Woman's club, was hostess. This was the largest attendance, with 420 present when the convention opened at 10 o'clock in the morning. There was 19 cents in the treasury as at that time the clubs paid dues at noon of conven tion day. The following have served ts president of the Cass County Fed erated Women's clubs: Mrs. C. E. Tefft, Weeping Water, 1926-1927-1928. Mrs. Nelson Burger, Nehawka 1928-1929-1930. Mrs. G. G. Douglas, Elmwool 1930-1931. Mrs. J. T. Begley, Plattsmouth 1931-1932. Mrs. Eugene Nutzman, Nehawka 1932- 1933. Mrs. W. S. McGrew, 1933- 1834. Louisville , Mrs. E- Ray Norris, Weeping Wat er, 1934-1935. Mrs. Lawrence Meisinger, Union 1935-1936. Mrs. Elmer Sundstrom, Platts mouth, 1936-1937. Miss Evelyn Wolr.h, Nehawka 1937-1938. Mrs. G. R. Eveland, Elmwood 1938-1939. Mrs. Jordan Kokjer, Aroca, 1939- 1940. Serving with Mrs. Kokjer as this year's officers are Mrs. L. . S. Devoe Plattsmouth, vice president, and Mrs. Carl Tefft of Avoca, 8ecretary-trco.s urer. There are now seven federated and several non-federated clubs in the Cas3 County Federation of Women's clubs. Plattsmouth Woman's clubs will entertain the county convention this fall. BOWLING CONTEST RESULTS From Thursday's Dally Last night the Couple Event was held at the local alleys with a good number taking part. The men put a number in a box and the ladies drew out these numbers to deter mine who were to be partners. The two dollars awarded was given to Clara Toman and Charles Ault who bowled a total of 768 in the three consecutive games. The close runnerup couple was Alberta Detlef and Paul Gal'entlne with a total score of 762. Third place scores were bowled by Carey Mead and Bob McClananan who rolled a total of 731. (Political Advertising) y - 1 A i WINNERS AT PINOCHLE From Friday's Dally Frank Kalasek and Miss Phyllis RobbinB were awarded the prizes at last evening's pinochle tournament, which attracted eight tables of pin ochle players. Jack Reno, Joe's New- Way Grocery store, and Mrs. Frank Konfrst served as hosts and hostess. Scores of some of the guests at the tournament ranged as follows: Frank Kalasek 5950; Phyllis Robbins 5570; Jerry Konfrst 5870; Lee Phil lips 5800; A. Crawford 5750; Jack Reno 5640; Ben Siebolts 5510; Mrs. Albert Young 5430; Jack Durell 5140; Mamie Mendenhall 5110; Elizabeth Bergman 5110; Mrs. Jack Reno 5110; E. A. Cadwell 4860; George Olsen 4840; Mrs. Bruce Fleischman 4790; Ira Clinkenbeard 4 650; Mrs. Albert Gray 5650; Harry Plybon 4630; Mrs. Frank J. Kon frst, Sr. 4560: George Sheesley 4330; Florence Rhoades 4130; Mrs. Frank Konfrst. Jr. 4060; James Clark 3 8 CO; C. Gray 3470. Eight of" the guests' names and their scores are omitted. FROM THE NATIONAL PRESIDENT, G. F. W. C, Dear Co-Workers is Platts mouth, Nebraska: I am bo glad that you both Jun ior and Senior clubwomen are en tering into the spirit of the Golden Jubilee celebration. It means some thing to be fifty years old. It means that we are no longer a youthful or ganization, looking forward to a pos sible future contribution to life." It means that we have served a period of apprenticeship and learned many valuable lessons. .It means that we are able to accept adult responsibili ties and work together in meeting them. We rejoice in our heritage. Shall we use it abundantly, now that op portunities are greater than before? The answer rests with you and the club women in every part of the country. Your activities bespeak a most encouraging answer, and I am delighted and grateful that in your community you are cementing and strengthening the bonds of federa tion. May your efforts be rewarded. And may our activities as a whole redound to the benefit of every group participating in a program to encour age ana enlarge the work or our great organization. Cordial greetings and best wishes to you all. Sincerely yours, SAIDIE ORR DUNBAR, President G. F. W. C. SUFFERS FROM APPENDICITIS Ray F. Becker, county register of deeds, has for the past two days been confined to his home as the re sult of an attack of 'appendicitis, which is of a chronic type and from which he has suffered In the past. Whether an operation will be neces sary has not been determined. Frank Bestor Bells Yager's Hybrid Seed Corn, grown in Nebraska, at $3.50 and $4.50 bu. Call 350. n UnH -,. ';s- . ; 1 '' 1 SPECIAL IKlatchery SsucpSy As low as 4-98 per 100 Drive In and Get Them lark's hick EUatchery Located at 5139 South 24th Street South Omaha, Nebr. - - - I - - - : t " V - ' ::' v '.-"'" v - : 4 -s x ' if tiiiiiiniinii mm iiMi ' illfr iinir mm NEBR. BISECTOR OF WOM EN'S CLUB SENDS GREETINGS Greetings to the Plattsmouth club and congratulations on this, your birthday anniversary. From pages of the first history, which was written at the time of the organization of our General Federation, I find some very interesting things concerning the Plattsmouth club, which was one of the early clubs to Join our 6tate federation. These pages concerning our state were given to me by our General Federation secretary at our January board meeting, and from these pages I have learned that at the time of our state organization in 1894, Plattsmouth organized a club the evening previous, that they might have a delegate to send to this state meeting. Also, that Mrs. B. M. Stoutenborough, Plattsmouth, was one of the first officers of our state organization. I certainly enjoyed my meeting "with the Plattsmouth club in their Golden Jubilee celebration. MRS. WALTER KIECHEL. Nebraska Director of Gen. Fed. of Women's Clubs FATHER DIES IN ENGLAND Rev. J. C. Lowsan of this city has just received the sad Intelligence that his father passed away at the far away home in England about two weeks ago. The delay in receiving the word was due to war time con ditions that prevail. Mr. John Low son of Wopford, New London, had attained the ripe age of 0 years. had been in usual K'xd health but recently contracted a severe cold which developed into pneumonia. causing his death. The synpathy of the community goes out to Rev. Low- son in this bereavement. (Political Advertising) W.W.WILSON District Judge FOR SECOND TERM Non-Political Ballot Otoe, Cass and Sarpy Counties He has made a good Judge! 7Zn n U I' ll t r b ? , v ' - -v; , f , f " - , ' , o , It; 1 " ; - . - - T V ( :. ;.:'. ' .v k - ( : 1 . s it - : v . - - ' ... .: , J v 1 I