Buffalo County, Nebraska - Chapter 2, 1916

Chapter 2

BUFFALO COUNTY - CHARTER MEMBER OF FIRST I. O. O. F. LODGE INSTITUTED IN THE COUNTY - CHARTER MEMBER OF FIRST MASONIC LODGE INSTITUTED IN THE COUNTY.

Fort Kearney

(Note - In Volume No. i6 of the published collections of the Nebraska State Historical Society, for the year 191 1, may be found a very complete history of Fort Kearney compiled from public documents and written by Albert Watkins, historian of the State Historical Society.)

As a protection to the thousands of emigrants traveling the Oregon and Overland trails from the early '30s to the completion of the Union Pacific Railroad in 1869, Fort Kearney was established in May, 1848, and garrisoned with United States troops until its abandonment in the year 1871. That portion of the military reservation on the north side of the Platte River and in part within the boundaries of Buffalo County was ceded to the general Government in 1848 and its boundaries described as follows :

"Commencing on the south side of the Platte River, five miles west of post 'Fort Childs' (later named Fort Kearney), thence due north to the crest of the bluffs north of said Platte River; thence east and along the crest of saids bluffs to the termination of Grand Island, supposed to be about sixtv miles distant; thence south to the southern shore of said Platte River; and thence west and along the southern shore of said Platte River to the place of beginning.

The reservation on which the fort was located was ten miles square, lying on both sides of the Platte River, and over this reservation a strict military discipline was maintained. While emigrants were permitted to travel the trails crossing the reservation and to visit the fort, no one was permitted to make an overnight camp on this reservation. To this there was one exception - to encourage the raising of crops, more especially gardens, small tracts of land were leased to individuals who were permitted to reside upon such leased tracts. The tracts thus leased were located on islands of the Platte, principally an island known as Fort Farm Island. Also on this island some farming, such as growing corn, was done under the supervision of the military authorities at the fort. Also on

It is understood that the reason for including in the military reservation the tract above noted - some sixty miles in length and embracing, as it did, the Wood River X'alley in Buffalo County - was that on this tract, which included the "thousand" islands of the Platte, there was much timber needed and used by the military authorities.

Blew The Bugle

It is related that each day an officer and guard were detailed to visit the timber sections of the reservation and see if unauthorized persons were cutting Government timber. It is also related that on such duty, at intervals, the clear notes of a bugle rang out over the islands and the prairie, and hearing the bugle unauthorized wood choppers ceased from their labors while the inspection guard passed by. On return to the fort the officer reported that he saw no one engaged in cutting timber on the reservation, and yet as the years came and went, and before the fort was finally abandoned, the islands of the Platte and the banks of Wood River within the bounds of the reservation were entirely stripped of timber suitable for cordwood or a railroad tie.

It should also be mentioned that this timbered reservation furnished all timber needed for fuel and other purposes at the fort for some twenty-three years.

Sergt. Michael Coady

The name of Sergt. Michael Coady and mention of his deeds is well worthy a place and to be made of record in a history of Buft'alo County, although in a legal sense it can hardly be said he was ever a resident of the county. Sergeant Coady was kind and helpful to early settlers in Central Nebraska when kindness on the part of those in authority was appreciated and help needed.

Early settlers could not tell the names of the commanding officers at Fort Kearney, but every man, woman and child knew of Sergeant Coady, that he seemed to exert much authority and that he was a friend to all pioneer settlers.

It will be noted in this history of Buffalo County that Sergeant Coady was active in the reorganization of the county in 1870, and that he was elected and served as county clerk. It is related that when the first elections were held in the reorganized county, the poll books were taken to Fort Kearney, and Sergeant Coady helped to make out the election returns, for the reason that Sergeant Coady was accustomed to making reports, the keeping of records, while the residents of the county were not. It will be noted, in this history, that Michael Coady was a charter member, helped to organize the first I. O. O. F. lodge instituted in the county in 1873. It will also be noted that he was a charter member, and helped to organize the first Masonic lodge in the county in 1873.

While he was forceful, energetic, a born fighter, he was of a most kindly disposition. It is related that Sergeant Coady was offered a commission as officer

Seegeant Michael Coady

A soldier of the Mexican and Civil wars. Served at Foit Kearney. A charter member of the first Masonic and Independent Order of Foresters lodges instituted in Buffalo County. Served as clerk of Buffalo County, 1870-71.

Old Soldiers At Picnic At Old Foet Keaexey Ix 1906

in the regular army of the United States and dechned, giving as his reason that his early advantages and training were such that were he an officer, invited to social functions, his brother officers might feel humiliated, while if not invited he should feel offended.

When, as a military post Fort Kearney was abandoned in 1870, Sergeant Coady was left in command, in charge of the Government property until August, 1874, when he was ordered to take station at Fort Omaha, Neb., where, in addition to his duties as ordnance sergeant, he was postmaster of the fort. After his retirement from the army he remained postmaster at the post until it was abandoned in 1896, when he moved out of the post and settled down, living a quiet life until his death, September 10, 1900.

]\Iichael Coady was born January i, 1828, in Tipperary, Ireland, and when a small boy emigrated to America. He entered the United States army in 1846, serving through the Mexican war. Rebellion and numerous Indian campaigns.

There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Coady five daughters, Julia, Mary, Margaret Elizabeth, Anna, and Catherine ; three sons, John J., Edward V., and William F. In 1916 his widow and living children were residents of Omaha.

Battles Of The Rebellion

Discharges bear the following characters: "Excellent in every respect. Remarks : His performance of every duty marked by the same faithfulness and zeal which has always characterized him."

Discharges signed by the following officers : Gen. John Gibbon, Dangerfield Parker, John H. King, William P. Carlin, Edwin Pollock and others.