r
The Omaha Sunday Bee
HALF TOiiE SECTION
Pages 1 to B
A Paper for the Hem
THE OMAHA DEE
Best t'hn. West
VOL 1XXXVI-NO. 23.
OMAHA, SUNDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 30, 10G.
SINGLE COPY FIVE CENTS.
JOSEPH REDMAN WHO HAS WORKED LONG FOR OMAHA
Story of a Man Who Started Life on the Towpath of a Canal, but Cam West in Tim to Help Build ft Great Commonwealth and Develop Its Metropolis from the Wilderness '
JOSEPH REDMAN, pioneer of Omaha and active for fifty year
in the city's upbuilding, began-life, like President Garfield, on
the tow-path of a canal, where he worked twelve court a day
for 18 a month. But the ambition which la bom of a pious,
frugal, temperate life, urged him to something better, and be
fore he had reached his majority he had penetrated In the van of
civilization as far went as the Mississippi river. A few years later he
located at Omaha, where he has now lived for half a century. He
has been the city's staunch supporter in troublous times; has always
been active in politics; always a wide-awake and useful citizen.
A tailor In a small town during the early part of the last century,
with eight children to support, found the struggle for life a hard
one. Such was the position of the father of Mr. Redman, when, on
December 14, 1829, the latter was born in Ilolllda'ysburg, Blair
county, Pennsylvania. The children were early trained to put their
shouldeYs to the wheel, and at the age of 13 years the young man
went to work on the canal, which ran through the village. Twelve
hours a day in all kinds of weather he followed the horses along
the tow-path, receiving $8 a month, which was turned into the fam
ily treasury. After two years on the canal he went to work on a
farm.
Early Learns to Be Frugal
He had learned well the wholeBome lessons that poverty teaches, .
and at the age of 20 years had saved out of his meager wages, and
beside what he turned dutifully over to his parents, the sum of $ 20.
With this as capital he started out to seek his fortune. He reached
Pittsburg 'deadhead" on the boat of which he had been an employe.
From there to St. Louis the "deck passage" was $2.50 and from St.
Louis to Dubuque, la., the fare was $3. He saved $40 In gold dur
ing the summer he worked In Dubuque, and felt that he was doing
famously. In the fall he went back, like the successful man he was,
to astonish the natives of his old town. Having fitted himself In
Pittsburg with a new suit of clothes, which boasted a set of brass
buttons, he attracted considerable attention In his native town.
Particularly , was this true In the case of a certain young woman
named Mary Jane Fair, In whose eyes the young man cared to shine
more than In any others. They were Warrled a few months later,
starting life under auspicious circumstances, for they were the pos
sessors of $65 In cash, besides a feather bed and other furniture.
They were looked upon as welMo-do people of that time and place.
The husband also had a position in the shops at Hollldaysburg. Thers
they lived for five years, and it is still a matter of which Mr. Redman
Is proud that they saved $500 during that time.
They were "doing well," but the call of the west came again
and they decided," to cast in their fortunes with the pioneers who
were settling the territory of Nebraska. One morning in the spring
of 1857 the family, then consisting of the parents and two children,
bade farewell to their native town from the deck of a westward
bound oanal boat. Thirty days later they arrived at the present site
of Omaha. They had made the entire trip on the deck of the boats,
, cooking their ow.n meals, Rising a dry goods box for a table and sleep
ing under the stars as the boat drifted down the Ohio and struggled
up the Missouri. As companions of their adventures, they had a dog,
eight hens and a rooster. These, in the words of Mr. Redman, "ate
the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table," and in return for
this good menu the hens laid a bountiful supply of eggs, which
formed an important item on the bill of fare oi the travelers.
Settlement" at Omaha
The little family, left the ship at Omaha on the morning of May
12, 1857. To a man who met them and offered to store their goods,
Mr. Redman responded, with the cheerfulness that always charac
terized him, that he "only had a wife and two children to store."
This was literally true, but he could not find a place to "store" even
them. Eventually he was compelled to make uee of a covered
"prairie schooner" wagon which he had purchased from a man on the
boat coming from St. Louis. In this wagon the little family lived
for several days after the father had "made sure that the Indians
were friendly and would not attempt to scalp them while they slept
As soon as possible he purchased a yoke of oxen in Council Bluffs,
and, hitching these to the wagon, started with his family toward the
northwest, where he pre-empted a claim of eighty acres near the
present town of Florence. He lacked money to make the payment
and borrowed $200 from a Njew York man at the rate of 80 per cent
aunual interest ' He paid the debt in two years. '
The great question In those days was whether Omaha or Flor
ence would be the city, and he decided to locate between the two,
where he noted that the river offered exceptional advantages for
building a bridge. He built a blacksmith shop at the present Junc
tion of Twenty-fourth street and Ames avenue. The title to the lots
on which the shop was located proved to be clouded and the govern
ment canceled all claims. Then the family moved to the farm, where
they lived while the financial panic of 1857 swept over the country,
seemingly crushing the life out of all enterprise and growth In the
new community. He recalls that at that time many had nothing to
eat'
On the farm. Industry and frugality brought prosperity in spite
of the hard times. No hardships were too great to be endured. Mr.
Redman made several trips overland, driving ox teams loaded with
flour to Denver. He made his first trip In 1863, driving four yoke
of oxen to a big prairie schooner laden with 3,000 pounds of flour
ground In a Fort Calhoun mill from wheat which he had raised on
his farm. - The trip to Denver In those days took six weeks.
Road Beady for Man's Uses
"God Almighty made that road, foreseeing that we would need
It to travel to Denver," says Mr. Redman. "It was a perfect, natural
road along the Platte river nearly all the way and It was so level that
there was hardly need for a single bridge. On the one side was
plenty of good water and on the other plenty of good grass. When
we unyoked the oxen In the evening they would go to the left hand
and drink their fill and then graze all night on the grassy plains."
Indian massacres of wagon trains were common in that day, but
Mr. Redman escaped, though at one time his party came upon the
smoking ruins where twenty wagons had been burned and the drivers
murdered by Indians. Flour in Denver brought all the way from
$6.75 to $14 per 100 pounds, the price depending largely on the
state of mind of the savages, who intervened between the producer
in the east and the consumer in the west Payment was made in
gold dust.
Mr. Redman early became known as "Uncle Joe" among his
friends. This was due to his Interest In everything going on and
his sympathy with everybody in all circumstances. After eight years
on the farm in the northern part of the city, "Uncle Joe" moved to
the city to afford his children better educational advantages. He
went into the general merchandise business with T. B. Ellingwood
at the southwest corner of Sixteenth and Izard streets, and claims to
bo the first man who sold dry goods on Sixteenth street.
The city was growing rapidly and politics began to "get warm."
It was evident 'that a great city was to grow here and questions of
munlcipie improvements assumed large proportions. "Uncle Joe"
had always been an ardent politician. He knew what he wanted
and was a convincing talker among the voters and legislators on
many occasions. At this critical time he was thrown into the vortex
of affairs by being elected to the city council from the Sixth war"
In 1878. It was the year when the great Holly waterworks question
came up. The Hollys wanted to Install their direct pressure system
Into the city, and strong interests were at work to defeat them.
"Uncle Joe" took his stand with the Hollys and the strongest pres
sure could not move him. Threats were made, even upon his life,
and more than once he went with an armed body guard from his
bou at BUteeaU and laard street to the city hall, then located at
JOSEPH REDMAN.
.Sixteenth and Farnam streets.. In this great struggle it happened
that he had the deciding vote and he cast it for the Holly Interests,
In consequence of which action he was dubbed "Holly Job Joe."
Among his fellow members on that historic city council were
George R. Lintnger, Barney Shannon, "Denny" Cunningham and Isaac .
Haskell. It was a council that had big things to do. It constructed
the first large sewer In the city,' running from Fourteenth to Eighth
street, on Jackson street. As chairman of the committee on gas, he
had the first street gas lamps placed in the city, on Sixteenth street,
from Farnam north. There would probably be no Sherman avenue
In Omaha had it not been for "Uncle Joe." He introduced the reso
lution into the council to have the name of Sixteenth street, from
the "Red bridge" north, changed to "Sherman avenue," in honor of
General Sherman. The resolution carried and he immediately ad
vertised the fact by causing a large canvas sign to be erected at the
Red bridge, inscribed "Entrance to Sherman Avenue." The Red
bridge was located at Sixteenth and Nicholas streets, where it
spanned North Omaha creek.
He is the fearless man who, with a squad of axmen, executed the
decree of the city council that th beautiful shade trees In front of
the residence of H. H. Fisher at Sixteenth and Davenport streets
should be removed. They were regarded as an obstacle to the
proper development of Sixteenth street as a business thoroughfare.
It was easy for the council to pass the ordinance, but the execution
was difficult "Uncle Joe," ever ready to carry out projects which
he believed to be for the good of the city, volunteered for the serv
ice and moved his forces upon the trees in broad daylight. He still
finds much amusement In recalling the opposition he encountered
from angry women, armed with brooms and other domestic weapons.
He is the only living charter member of the first Lutheran
church in Omaha, which was organized In 1858 by Rev. Henry W.
Kuhns. Among the other members were Augustus Kountze, Uriah,
Brunner, Dr. Roder, Daniel Redman and F. A. Snyder. The con
gregation erected its first church, a little brick structure, at Thir
teenth and Douglas streets, on the site now occupied by the Millard
hotel. When that property was sold a building was erected at Six
teenth and Harney streets, which stood until a few years ago, when
it was sold and the present handsome edifice at Twenty-sixth and
Farnam streets was erected. In all these transactions Mr. Redman
took a leading part.
In his 77th year, still a hale, hearty and up-to-date man, "Uncle
Joe" lives in his comfortable home at Seventeenth and Corby streets.
The household consists now of only himself and Mrs. Redman. His
first wife died and he married Mrs. Ira Haskell on November 12,
1882. A man without an ache or pain and without a care, seemingly.
Is "Uncle. Joe..' He possesses that fortunate teniperment which en
ables him to throw off care and to enjoy life to the utmost He has
tasted the pleasure of having money. Upon leaving for a visit to
Pennsylvania In 1886 he Insisted upon making a will and fonnd that
he was a wealthy man. The goddess of fortune frowned, however,
and now he has only a comfortable home and a little other property.
This Is quite sufficient, according to his healthful philosophy, espe
cially when it is remembered that he has twelve children, twenty
grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. And, In the words of
the Roman matron, Cornelia, when asked about his riches, he points
proudly to his children and replies: "These are my riches." Ills
children are his great pride.
"My family doesn't believe In this race suicide," he says with
a laugh, as he gleefully shows the visitor the dozens of photographs
of his descendants. And the records bear this statement out These
are the names of his children: George L. Redman, Mrs. A. L. Root
J,ames P. Redman, Sherman Redman, all of Omaha; Mrs. Harry
Keellne of Council Bluffs, B. F. Redman, Joseph Redman, Jr., and
Mrs. Clara Bailey of Salt Lake City, Utah; Samuel Redman of Oray,
Colo.; William S. Redman of Phoenix, Ariz., and Mrs. Clarence Eng
lish of Chicago. One son, David C. Redman of Harper's Ferry, la
died recently.'
Still Hearty and Vigorous
Although he has nearly reached four score of years, "Uncls
Joe" is still a vigorous man. This fact he attributes to taking care
of himself and having no vices. In the last few years he has given
over all kinds of business and lives at home or visits his children
In various parts of the country. "Though he has borne so active a
part in the events of past years, he does not live in the past His
attention is taken up with present day affairs and his deepest Interest
lies in the upbuilding of Omaha. He Is loyal to the men of his own
time, however, and believes that the present age is corrupted to a
greater degree than the days of old.
"Why, when I was In the city council we only got $16 a month,"
he says, with a vigorous gesture of his hands. "Now they are paying
the councilmen $125 a month. Just think of that! I don't know
what they want to do it for unless It is to give them so much that
they won't care to Bteal any more In addition."
He still casts a shrewd, Judicious and wide-awake eye over the
city of Omaha and sees places where It could be Improved. He talks
to people In his vigorous way about these things. He believes, for
example, that it would be for the good of Omaha If the name of Six
teenth street were changed to "Broadway," of some other dignified
appelation. The principal business street of the city, he considers,
should be given a name and not be known by a number. Long ac
quaintance has made him the close friend of the Kountzes, the
'Crelghtons, the Rosewaters and other families which took a leading
part in the development of the city. And he is the admirer of all
these men. He has no spark of envy for those who amassed greater
fortunes than himself or for those who secured higher political pre
ferment, nor has he any hatred for those who opposed him po
litically. Even into politics his genial, easy-tempered nature has ex
tended, and a smile wreathes his face and a chuckle Is In his voice as
he tells of the political struggles in the council in the early days.
He has particular admiration for the late Herman Kountze and also
for Augustus Kountze.
Admiration for the Kountze Brothers
"Augustus Kountze was the only man who actually lived on his
claim and got it legally from the government," he declares. "It
makes me mad when I hear some of these people telling about bow
those men got their land by anything but fair means. They got it
by honest means and that's the reason why they have it yet, Her
man Kountze was the man who saved us all many a time. He never
lost his coolness. You couldn't excite him, and he had a mighty big
heart Dozens of men went to him In the hard times and confessed
that they would have to give up, and some just wanted to hand him
the deeds on their property. He used to tell them to go home and
do their best and it would all come out right"
Another of his projects for beautifying the city is to have Count
Creighton present the city with Cut-Off lake on condition that funds
be appropriated for improving the place and making It a big pleasure
resort. He has never permitted any political party to chose the
men he supports for office. Though originally a democrat, he voted
for Lincoln after the war and supported General Thayer for the
United States senate. He was also a strong supporter of Edward
Rosewater for United States senator. He believes Roosevelt to be
"the greatest man on earth," and Bryan, he thinks, Is "the greatest
man without a record."
Industry, sobriety and thrift "Uncle Joe" says, will make any
man successful, and to the young men of today he says: "Practice
a little hardship while you are young that you may have a good
home and comforts for old age, which Is sure to overtake you. When
I was married, fifty-five years ago, I received $1 for a hard day's
work at blacksmithing. We saved $500 the first five years of our
married life, and I wonder now bow it is that boys getting $2, $3, $5
and upwards are struggling without a home."
Robert Weidensall on Daily Life in St. Petersburg
WHILST I made my visit to Finland with
out molestation on the part of anyone,
but rather with the most cordial reception
and the kindest of treatment by all, it
was not so certain that I would have the same
experience in Russia proper. Notwithstanding
that some parties in Finland shook their heads in
more or less doubt about the advisability of my
going to Russia, I made up my mind to go. While
it was possible for me to go by railroad and by
boat. I chose the latter and provided myself with
a ticket for the steamer, as it was to arrive early
In the evening, at 6 o'clock, and sail for St.
Petersburg at 10 o'clock p. m., and thus I would
be sure of a good night's rest. On the contrary,
I had a very unpleasant experience, since the
hotel folks said they could get no word frcra the
steamer until quite late, so that I was unable to
get aboard before 11 o'clock p. m., and the vessel
did not sail until 4 o'clock the next morning. The
sea was quite rough, but I did not suffer sick
ness. We were far behind time and there was
little to be seen. We reached Kronstadt, a forti
fied town near the entrance of the river about
forty miles below St Petersburg. We entered
the river and made good progress, arriving at St.
Petersburg at 10 o'clock p. m. It was reported
that we . would have to stay on the steamer all
night, but the custom house officers came on
board immediately, examined our baggage
promptly and we soon left the boat for the hotels.
I was conveyed to the 'Grand hotel, a good one
and reasonable in charges. The chief porter, a
German, was a walking encyclopaedia on St
Petersburg affairs. He spoke English very flu
ently and was as ready to serve the guests of the
hotel as he was Intelligent
St Petersburg, Russia, Is too well known be
cause of the prominence it has held in the public
mind for the last few years for me to say very
much about It It is a very large city with about
1,800,000 inhabitants. The city makes a good
impression upon the visitor at first sight, which
Is not lost by more intimate acquaintance. Its
streets, avenues, boulevards, squares and parks
are well plotted and maintained. ' There is a gen
eral high grade of buildings on the main streets,
public and private. There are too many fine
buildings for special mention. I will name only
a few of the most interesting. The St Isaac's
Russian church stands out above all others. I
was told that it cost 20,000,000 roubles, or
$10,000,op0; a model of It in the church, much of
It gold, cost 1,000,000 roubles, or $500,000. The
base of the church is 600 yards in circuit and for
six feet above the ground is of polished red gran
ite. The wide porticos on each side of the great
church and the stairways leading up to them are
of the same polished granite. Then the Immense
columns on the porticos, from five to seven feet
in diameter and eighty feet high, are polished red
granite monoliths, rivalling the stupendous col
umns of the great Egyptian and Baalbek temples.
In every other way its magnificence compares
favorably with what I have mentioned. It is a
close second to St. Peter's church, at Rome, as a
whole, and its superior in some respects. The
St. Peter's and St. Paul's cathedral, in which
Peter the Great and bis two wives are buried, is
a wonderful church, particularly in the tombs and
monuments It contains. It has perhaps the most
beautiful church spire In the world. The spire
of the Admiralty building, however, while not so
elaborate as the one just mentioned, shows to
better advantage, because of Its appearance above
the beautiful park before it. The river front,
with its charming park, the fine equestrian statue
of Peter the Great, all tend to afford a fine dis
play both in the daytime and the evening when
they are lighted artificially. The multitudes
seen to enjoy these public places, for they are
thronged, particularly in the afternoon and even
ing, until the parks are closed by their keepers.
Near the church where Peter the Great Is
burled Is bis own original little house in which
he spent much time planning and executing many
of the things that made him especially peculiar
and remarkable. The little house Is under the
cover of another building constructed over it
Visitors are allowed to enter parts of the build
ing. Other parts are closed. St. Petersburg
seems to be gay. Business appears brisk. There
'.are no outward signs of a troubled condition, un
less it be the presence of many soldiers, also the
many watchmen that are stationed at the gate
ways and doors of all large public or private
buildings Probably this Is a regular and not a
special condition in. St. Petersburg. There is,
however, a sort of unexpressed fear that serious
outbreaks or occurrences may take place at any
time. I went all through the city at all hours
up to 1 o'clock in the night and saw no trouble
anywhere. The social evil in St. Petersburg as
It manifested Itself on the streets and in the parks
Is very serious. In the parks from the early
evenings until they are closed, and In the boule
vards and large streets, until after midnight a
large number of women and girls boldly approach
men as solicitors in their evil lives. Apparently
a majority of the women on the streets at late
hours without male attendants are approachable
by men for the same evil purposes. Finely
dressed men, men in uniform dress, official or
otherwise, and the more commonly dressed men,
did not seem averse to these solicitations, but
many of these men boldly solicited the more ap
parently modest women and girls as they paraded
the streets, particularly the great thoroughfares.
There did not seem to be any effort of the au
thorities to stop It; on the other hand, I saw nq
one section of the city wholly given over to or
licensed for the social evil like in many other
large cities of the world.
During my whole stay in St Petersburg I did
not hear any unkind words spoken of the Japa
nese, but in several instances praise and admira
tion. I arrived la 6t Petersburg, Russia, lata Sat
urday night, September 16; I attended the St
Isaac's Russlau churc'a Sunday morning. The
display was unique, the singing and chanting fins
and the Interest seemed Intense, Judging from
the facial expressions of the worshiping throng
and their constant bowing and utterances.
In the evening I called at the Evangelical
Young Men's Christian association rooms. They
were mostly Germans and none could talk Eng
lish. By their help, however, I found the homo
address of Mr. Franklin Gaylord, the American
representative of the Young Men's Christian as
sociation In St. Petersburg, who Is In charge of
the work among the orthodox Greek young men.
I went with him to his association building. The
building was full of interested young men who
were benefited In many ways by the work carried
on under the superlntendance of Mr. Gaylord. I
made the acquaintance of his assistants and other
workers. I made frequent visits to this building
and saw much of Its workings. It is called the
Light House. I fully agree with Mr. Gaylord that
to make this very popular work result In what it
should and become permanent will require the
addition of a true Christian man, thorough in his
Christian and association knowledge and able to
speak the Russian language fluently, to enter into
this popular movement and develop in the minds
and hearts of an inside band of young men a
c!ear knowledge of true Christian and association
principles and work, as well as deliver popular
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