Adams County, Nebraska - Chapter 1: General Early History, 1916

The history of the Adams County we know spans but a brief i:)eriod of time, and is cliaracterized by activities we can understand witli a fair degree of comprehension. While the progress of development has been rapid and of a kind that may well awaken pride, yet it would seem abrupt and imconnected with the story of man Avere we not upon occasion to recall that this very territory uj^on which we stand has been linked with the destinies of men and nations beyond the sea ; its fate indeed has hung upon the issues of battles and therefore upon the cause of battles.

In common with the remainder of the soil embraced within the boundaries in Nebraska, Adams County was a portion of the Louisiana Territory and therefore was successively under the dominion of Spain and France. It was in the spring of 1541 that Ferdinand de Soto is said to have first seen the jMississijjpi River. He crossed the river far to the south of the latitude of Nebraska and carried his explorations northwestwards. That he penetrated the unknown country as far as Nebraska is doubtful; some writers, however, contend that he did. It is true that portions of old Spanish armor and equipment have been found within the state and this probably is the foundation for the belief that De Soto's expedition reached this state.

Whether or not this expedition reached Nebraska it is certain that it was fruitful of practically no result, else a definite impression Mould have been left upon the history of the region. By right of discovery, however, Spain laid claim to this territory, but it did nothing towards its development.

In April, 1682, La Salle completed the exploration of the ]Mis.si.ssippi River and at its mouth erected a column, inscribed: Louis le Grand, Roi de France et de Navarre." The Frenchman took possession of the territory through which he had passed for his country and named it Louisiana in honor of his king, under whose authority he carried on the exi)loration.

LTnlike Spain nearly a century and a half previous, the government of France at once took steps to hold the vast territory added to her dominions by the explorations of La Salle. This territory, comprising about one million square miles, remained in the possession of France until following the conclusion of the Seven Years' War in Europe, when Louisiana Territory was ceded to Sjiain. This was in 1762.

Spain's retention of the inland empire was short lived. By 1800 Napoleon Bonaparte at the head of the French army had placed the monarchies of Europe in danger, and in that year Spain was compelled to yield to the conqueror and the Louisiana Territory once more came into the possession of France.

Napoleon was fully alive to the value of the great American possession and actually began the fortifying of the mouth of the INIississippi. While as yet the Monroe Doctrine had not been promulgated, yet the United States protested vigorously the action of Napoleon, foreseeing the endangering of the right of navigation of the river. The circumstances of Napoleon at that time were favorable to his heeding the protest of the Jefferson administration. The conqueror's treasury was low and he undoubtedly sensed that the superiority of the English navy would eventually overcome the French sea forces, in which event the territory would become the proj)erty of England through conquest.

To avert this eventuality was desirable from Napoleon's point of view, hence the cession of the territory to the United States was negotiated with comparative ease. On April 30, 1803, the arrangements for the transfer were completed by the agents of the two countries. The price paid by the United States for the important territory was $11,250,000. In addition, by a separate convention, the United States agreed to pay a sum not to exceed, inclusive of interest, $3,7i)0,000 which was owed by France to American citizens. Congress ratified the treaty, sealing the transaction between the two countries ^Nlarch 9, 1804. Bonaparte received in payment 6' , bonds, payable fifteen years after date, and with the stipulation that he would not dispose of the bonds at a price degrading to the credit of tlie American Government.

It is not without interest to note what distant events had to do with the disposition of the soil of Adams Connty, and to speculate what might have happened had settlements heen otherwise than as they were. Napoleon might have failed to see the destruction of his sea power and the territorj- might have hecome a part of the English dominions. Another war with the British concerning this territory might have resulted, and inasmuch as the following period afforded times when England was unoccupied with continental enemies, she might have been able to contest this territory with greater vigor than that characterizing other contests with the United States. At any rate the territory of which Adams County formed a part passed through some momentous and precarious stages.

During this remote period of its history it may be recalled that the rulers of Adams County, in common with the great territory, bore strange names. Under France were the following viceroys: much more in the activities of the early explorers than was for a time realized. This information is heing dug out from the lumber rooms of wealthy Spanish and French families. Letters, journals and reports found in the national libraries of Paris, Madrid and JNIexico are revealing that the location and character of the region of which Adams County was a jjart was known with a fair degree of accuracy before settlements were made along the Atlantic coast.

In the library of St. Mary's College in Montreal only a few years ago was found a map executed by Father INIarquette in 1673. Scholars who have examined it believe that the map is authentic. Upon this map Nebraska is delineated with remarkable accuracy. The general course of the INIissouri is given to a point north of the northern boundary of Nebraska; the course of the Platte River is shown witli but little deviation from accuracy and among the Indian tribes mentioned are Panasac Panas, jNIahas and Otontantes. whicli differ but little from the Pawnees, Omahas and Otoes that A\e know.

Inasmuch as it is believed that Coronado in his march from ]\Iexico to the Platte River entered Nebraska at a point somewhere between the western boundary of Gage County and the western boundary of Furnas County, it follows as a possibility of considerable interest that he traversed Adams County. At all events the course of the cavalier's march on his quest for the land of Quivera was so near the county that there is strong relation of interest and the traditions rightfully belong to the region.

Francisco Vasquez de Coronado was appointed governor of a province of northern Mexico by the Spanish viceroy, Don Antonio de JMendoco. He was born in Salamanca, Spain, and belonged to the aristocracy. His education was comprehensive, such as became a Spaniard of noble birth.

Although a well educated man Coronado was actuated to make the long journey from ^Mexico to the Platte River by reasons whicli seem in this day chimerical in the extreme, but which none the less enrich our history and yield a pleasing background of tradition. Coronado set out on the expedition early in the spring of lo-iO. His force was composed of 300 Sjianiards and about eight hundred Indians. The object of the expedition was not exploration but the finding of the cities of Cibola - the seven cities of the buffalo, which Avere reported to exist far to the north and to be fabulously wealthy. Each of the seven cities was described as rivaling the City of INIexico in ]5opulation and magnificence. In these cities gold and silver Avere said to be in such enormous quantities that the natives did not regard them highlv, although whole streets blazed with the shops of gold-

The rumor of tliese cities had been brought first to the Spaniards by a Texas Indian, a slave of the governor of New Gallia preceding Coronado. In search of them Stephen the ]Moor had lost his life in Indian towns to the northward. Whether the Indian played upon the credulity of the Spaniards, knowing their love of gold, hoi)ing to gain favors himself, or whether Indian towns visited in his youth had grown in his imagination can not be known. Coronado, at least, believed the story of the Indian and hoped to gain gold and honor through the discovery of the cities of Cibola.

It was not very long before it dawned upon the expedition that the wealth of the cities of Cibola was a dream. They concluded that it was very probable that the simple Indian villages they encountered from time to time were the foundation for the rumor of the wealthy and popidous cities. Nevertheless they persisted with their inquiries among the natives. The latter desiring Coronado and his host to be well out of their country were not slow to tell of another jH-o\ince, where the population and wealth were great and the inhabitants peaceable. This land, according to the natives, lay 250 miles to the eastward and thither Coronado led his force. The territory he reached is now identified as the eastern portion of New JNIexico, the region which had been previously visited by Stephen the Moor and where he was killed by the Indians who resented his treatment of them in return for the kindness with which they had received him.

Coronado and his forces were no more acceptable to the natives of these regions of New JNIexieo than had been Stephen the JNIoor, and it is believed by latter day students that the relating to Coronado by a native of a description of the great kingdom of Quiver a was a ruse perpetrated to induce the Spaniards to move on. Although so many of the rimiors had proven to be false, yet Coronado was impressed by the great minuteness with Mhich the native described Quivera. The native said that he had visited this kingdom, which lay far to the northeast. The ruler of the kingdom was said to be the long bearded, gray haired Tatarrax who "took his noon day slee}) in a garden of roses, under a huge spreading tree, to the branches of which were suspended innumerable golden bells, which soimded in exquisite harmony when shaken by the wind."

The description of the land of Quivera so minutely described by the native narrator convinced Coronado that there must be some foundation in fact. Accordingly, on ]May i5, 1.541, the expedition crossed the Pecos River and after a short march emerged from the hills and came out upon the vast uncharted prairies occupying the area now known as Oklahoma and Kansas. In all jjrobability, these were the first white men to look upon the vast extending western plains. They continued on their northeastward journey for about eight hundred miles, or until they came to a great river now believed to have been the Arkansas.

On this long journey the Indian who had told the Spanish cavalier of the land of Quivera acted as guide. Long before the river ^^-as reached, however, Coronado had grown suspicious as to the truthfulness of the narrative of the guide. It had been noticed that if bands of Indians encountered on the way had first been in conference with the guide, invariably they corroborated his story, but if they were seen first by other members of the party they appeared to know nothing of a kingdom to the eastward. Generally they spoke of a land to the northward.

By the time he reached the Arkansas Coronado had become convinced that he had been deceived by the Indian guide and he resolved to continue the journey north. The diminishing of the stock of provisions determined the explorer to turn back the greater number of his party toward the Pecos River. This was done and the northern journey across the Kansas prairies was begim Avith thirty moimted men and six foot soldiers. The small party crossed Kansas in July and eventually crossed the southern boundary of Xebraska. This was in 1541, in the same year that De Soto discovered the jNIississipjii.

Coronado spent twenty-five days exploring the land of Quivera. It has been noted by the students of these early days that the reports of this expedition made to the viceroy of Mexico tally so well with the descriptions of X^ebraska that they might serve as a catalogue of the natural resources of the state. Other places far distant claim the distinction of having been the location of the land of Quivera, but the claims of X^ebraska have been fairly well authenticated. In his report to the viceroy Coronado says: "I have reached the fortieth pai-allel of latitude." The flora and fauna described in the explorer's report correspond to those afterward foinid to be characteristic of X^ebraska. One of the chroniclers of the expedition says: "Quivera is on the fortieth parallel of latitude. It is a temperate country and hath very good waters and much grass, plums, mulberries, nuts, melons and grapes, which rij^en very well. There is no cotton and they aj^parel themselves with bison hides and deer skins."

"Oxen of the bigness and color of our bulls. They have a great bunch on their foreshoulders, and more hair on their fore part than on their hinder part, and it is like wool. They push with their horns, they run, tliey overtake and kill a horse when they are in their rage and anger."

It is jjleasing to reflect sometimes that om- Adams County is so closely related to the ancient kingdom of Quivera and the discoveries of the renowned cavalier Coronado. Our history is more ancient than we are prone to realize. Summing up the investigations that have been made of the records of Coronado, Hon. James W. Savage, when judge of the Third Judicial District, addressing the State Historical Society on Ajjril 10, 1880. said: "I purpose to collect and [H-esent a few of the reasons we have for believing that, fourscore years before the Pilgrims landed on the' venerable shores of INIassachusetts; sixty-eight years before Hudson discovered the ancient and beautiful river which still bears his name; sixty-six years before John Smith, with his cockney colonists, sailed up a summer stream which they named after James the First of England, and commenced the settlement which was afterward to be Virginia; twenty-three years before Shakespeare was born, when Queen Elizabeth was a little girl, and Charles the Fifth sat upon the united throne of Germany and Spain, Nebraska was discovered; the peculiarities of her soil and climate noted, her fruits and productions described, and her inhabitants and animals depicted."

The facts of Coronado's expeditions rest upon his own reports and have been brought into jjrominence through the compilation of Ternaux Compans. The account is independently corroborated in several works on jMexico and the Indians of the Southwest.

Adams County was established as a coimty by an act of the State Legislature approved February 16, 1867. The boundaries as fixed by that act were as follows: "From the point where the east line of range 9, west, crosses tlie Platte; thence up the river channel to the intersection of the river with the west line of range 12; thence south to the southwest corner of township ,5, range 12; thence east to the southeast corner of township 5, range 9; thence north to place of lieginning. The location outlined in the foregoing description is the same as the present boundary lines except upon the north. Instead of the Platte River being the boundary, that line is now the north line of township 8, north.

of the county surveyor, show that the county was surveyed before there were any settlers. The survej^ors were Charles W. Pierce and Nathan P. Cooke. These two survej'ors, however, established the township lines only; that is, they established the lines that divide the county into sixteen squares, the sides of each square being six miles in length. It was not the business of tlie surveyors as they worked to locate a particular county. Thej' established the lines with which counties might be designated as they were formed by acts of the Legislature. The field notes show that the toAvnshi]5 lines of Adams County were surveyed beginning July 16, 1859, and were eomiJleted September 10, 1860.

Surveyors obtained contracts from the National Government to survey certain designated districts, and their work was under tlie supervision of the surveyor-general. The contracts for surveying the territory in which Adams County lies were obtained by Pierce and Cooke on April 29, 1859, and August 6, 1860, and were numbers 270 and 280.

The surveying into sections was not done at the time that the township lines were laid. Sectionizing was a separate survey, although in Adams County it was done at about the same time that the township lines were established. This work too was let by contract and the field notes show that several had contracts for work in Adams County. The greater part of the section lines were laid in 1860. Those in Denver Township, in which Hastings was located, were surveyed in 1860, the work being done between September 2Tth and October 3d. Henry James was the name of the surveyor. The laying of section lines in Cottonwood Township was not completed until 1867. In this township William Hardin established the section lines. Tlie surveyors lived in camjjs, camp being established at some spot that would be central to the work for a while. Their appearance was the beginning of the county life that we know.

Adams County, like all the public lands of Nebraska, was survej'ed after the system which is generally credited to have been devised by General William Henry Harrison. The basis of this system is a plan of imaginary lines, definitely located, and called base lines and meridians. First the meridians are established. These run due nortli from a fixed geographic landmark and are intersected ])y base lines miming east and went.

In the land sun^eys of the West there are six principal meridians. The first runs from the mouth of the JNIiami River, in Ohio; the second, from the mouth of the Little Blue River, in Indiana; the third, from the mouth of the Ohio River at Cairo, Illinois; tlie fourth.

from the mouth of the Illinois River; the fifth, from the mouth of the Arkansas River. Ujjon the sixth jirincipal meridian, with its base line the fortieth parallel of latitude, is arranged the system of surveys for public lands in Nebraska and Kansas.

Begiiming with the fortieth i^arallel of latitude, that is, running east and west, standard parallels are run at intervals of twenty-four miles, the width of four townships, on the north side of the base line; that is, the fortieth parallel. On the south side of this base the intervals are thirty miles, or the width of five townships.

Guide meridians are next established at distances of eight townshijis, or forty-eight miles, east and west of the i^rincipal meridian. By this plan parallelograms, 48 miles by 24 miles, are formed, whose limits are the base line, principal meridian, standard parallel and guide meridian, and these lines are the basis of the land surveys. In numbering the townshijis, east or west from a given meridian, they are called ranges; in numbering north or south from a base line they are called townshijis. Townships are divided into tracts called sections, Avhich are a mile square, and these are the units of land surveys.

The sixteen townships of Adams County are the following, the first four named being the eastern tier and the following groups of four being the successive tiers west, beginning with tlie northern townships: West Blue, Blaine, Hanover, Little Blue; Highland, Denver, Ayr, Zero; Verona, Juniata, Roseland, Silver Lake; Kenesaw, Wanda, Cottonwood and Logan.

Adams County, being 24 miles square, contains .576 square miles, embracing 368,646 acres. There is a gradual rise of height above sea level as one travels from east to west across the county. The elevation at Hastings is 1,934 feet; at Hansen if is 1,949 feet; at Pauline. 1,777; at Roseland. 1,969; at Holstein, 2,011; at Leroy, 1,860.

In the southern part of Adams County the Little Blue River with a number of tributary creeks which form its headwaters flows in a general easterly direction looping north, however, at a point about directly south of Hastings. The Platte River cuts off a very small corner of the northwest jiart of the county in Kenesaw Townshi]). These two are the only rivers in the county. The Little Blue is formed from its creeks at a point about twelve miles southwest of tlie Village of Ayr. It flows in a general northeast direction imtil to nearly the east side of Ayr Township when it takes a southeast direction through Hanover and Little Blue townships. After leaving Adams County it continues its southeast course, crossing portions of Clay and Nuckolls counties and then crosses Thayer County from west to east, after which it increases its southern swerve in Jefferson

While the Little Blue is a small stream, often in dry weather no more than a few inches deep, it is the principal stream in the county from the point of attraction. Natural timber grows upon its banks and therefore it affords opportunities for picnics and is used considerably for that purpose. It also affords some fishing, channel cat being the species most sought. In dry weather the road which in many places winds among the timber affords a picturesque drive for automobiles. When iiood conditions prevail in seasons of much rainfall or following the thaw of much snow the Little Blue attains to a mile or more in width. Sharp hills border the stream for a mile or so on both sides of the river.

The creeks which give rise to the Little Blue for the most part flow into it from the north side. These creeks are generally dry, but after heavy rains and thaws a large volume of water is carried by them into the river. Thirty-two INIile Creek enters the Blue on the north side. This creek rises in the south central part of Verona Township and flows in a general southeast direction passing about a half mile west of Juniata. It enters Denver Township on the west side of section 30, and shortly afterwards it makes a sharp looping turn flowing northeast before turning sharply south. It enters the Blue on section 26 in Ayr Township.

Pawnee Creek rises in Verona Township and flows northeast. It enters Denver near the northwest corner, cuts off the southwest corner of Blaine and then flows south to about the center of Hanover, where it turns to the east and flows across the latter township.

Cottonwood Creek enters Wanda Townshi}) near the northwest corner; it flows east about two miles and then takes a southeasterly direction across Wanda and Cottonwood townships, reaching the Blue on the west side of section 10 in Silver Lake Township, about a mile north and a little west of Silver Lake.

Sand Creek rises near the western side of the county in Cottonwood Township and runs along the northeast corner of Logan entering Silver Lake Township about a mile and there entering the Blue. Crooked Creek, Ash Creek and Oak Creek enter the Blue from the south side in Little Blue Township. West Blue Creek rises near Hastings and flows in a noi-theasterly direction across West Blue Township. It ultimately reaches the Big Blue River near Crete.

Silver Lake lies near the center of the township that bears the same name. This body of water is shajjcd much like a horseshoe with the opening to the north. The greater part of the lake lies in the noithwest and northeast quarters of section 15, though both tips of the liorseshoe extend across the road into the respective quarters of section 10. At its closest point to the Blue, which is on section 10, the lake is within about ten rods of the river. It does not flow into the I'iver, however, except at periods of very high water. The inhabitants of the vicinitjf say that the water in the lake is not as high now, 191G, as it was generally some twenty years ago. At that time there was considerable boating on the lake, but it has diminished in recent j'ears.

At the present time the lake is usually only about three feet deep in the deepest places and of course much shallower over a good deal of the surface. It is fed by rains and thaws, although in the southwest corner there is a spring. A peculiarity of this spring is that it is not observable unless the sunmier should be a dry one. In that event the spring is seen to begin to flow early in September, and prevents the lake from becoming dry. If the lake were laid out in a straight line it \\ould be about a mile and one-half in length. Ordinarily it is about fifteen rods in width but when there is great rainfall it swells to some one hundred and twenty rods in width. In season there are numbei's of wild ducks on this water, but they do not frequent it in anything like the numbers that were foimd here twenty years ago. This lake is the only natural lake- in the county. It never becomes entirely dry, although when the drought is prolonged a few puddles, due to the spring, are all that save the reputation of the lake.

Following the course of the Platte in Kenesaw Township a low range of sandliills extends. The sandhills follow at a distance of a mile or so from the Platte. In the west central part of Wanda township, too, sandhills are found, embracing an area of perhaps four sections. Some more sandhills are found in the western part of Cottonwood Township.

The following is a general topographical description of the county by townships. liittle Blue, rough along Blue River and creeks; rest smooth and rolling. Hanover, mostly rolling and fertile; south part somewhat rough. Blaine, generally level, smooth and fertile; very little low land. West Blue, about two-thirds rolling, smooth land; rest rather rough along creeks.

Zero, south half, rolling fine land; north half some rough; all fertile. Ayr, rough along Blue River and creeks; balance rolling; all fertile. Denver, southern part some rough; balance rolling; all very fertile. Highland, smooth, gently rolling; very little low land and very little rough.

rolling and fertile. Roseland, nearly all rich, smooth land; some rough in south part. Juniata, some rough along creeks; balance all smooth, good land. Verona, gently rolling, all rich and fertile: no waste land.

Logan, rough along the creeks; balance, fine rolling land. Cottonwood, about one-third rough and sandy; rest fine, fertile land. Wanda, Avest third rough with some sandy spots; balance smooth and rolling. Kenesaw, north half rough and sandy in places; south half rolling, fine land.

The rapid development of Adams County since its organization in 1871 suggests that there was behind this movement a strong pressure of pojiulation that urged the people to look for homes in the new and undeveloped jjrairie country. And such was the case. JNIany of the newcomers were from Illinois, INIichigan, Wisconsin and Indiana. The resources of these states had caused them to be quickly populated from the old Atlantic seaboard and neighboring states. For this reason emigration was in the traditions of the peojjle so that they did not shrink, at least to no forbidding extent, from seeking their fortunes in the prairie land. .Vt home the price of land had increased to a jjoint that made its acquisition a very difficult matter to those who had little more than youth and ambition Avith Avhich to attack the i^roblem, and these heard gladly the call of the new land.

Adams County, then, Avas in the path of the stream of people floAving AvestAvard from the East, crossing the INIissouri River and poiu'ing into Nebraska and Kansas. Toavus tAvinkled into being here and there on the vast domain of the prairie Avilderness Avith a regularity that presaged of the future. Isolated, indeed, Avere the sod shanties of the early pioneers but from time to time they felt the consciousness of the country groAving and felt something of the sustaining force that comes of the knoAvledge that one is not alone, that his hardships, experiences and hopes are those common to others.

The act creating Nebraska a territory became a laAV seventeen years before Adams County Avas established. This Avas ^lay 30, 1854. The territorial officers appointed by President Pierce, Avith Governor Burt as chief executive, did not arrive at BelleA'ue, then the only toAvn of pretension in the territory, until October 7th of that year. Thirteen years later. February, 1867, Nebraska Avas admitted into the Union as a state, during the presidency of AndrcAv Johnson. Four years after this, in 1871, Adams County Avas organized; very nearly then does the history of the comity date as far back as the history of Nebraska as a state. At the time of the organization of the county. Secretary of State W. H. James Avas acting gOA-ernor in the place of David Butler, the first state governor who, earlier in the year, had been removed from office following impeachment upon the charge of misapprojiriating state funds.

At this time tliere was for the encouragement of the early settlers the ever coming stream of eastern immigrants. A territorial census taken in 18.55 showed the population of Nebraska to be 4,491. In 1870 it had increased to 122,993. By the time that Adams County was organized a school system had been established in thirty-one Nebraska counties, and signs of pioneer settlers' activities were visible in the immediately surrounding territory. To the northward Hall Count J' had officers by appointment as earlj^ as 1858; eastward, the jjostoffice in Harvard, Clay County, was established in December. 1871. while the population of that county the previous year was 54. Webster Countv. to the south, was organized in 1871.