Buffalo County, Nebraska - Chapter 4: Boundaries of Buffalo County, Act of the Territorial Legislature, 1916

Chapter 4: Boundaries of Buffalo County, Act of the Territorial Legislature

The County of Buffalo, one of the first eight counties named and boundaries estabHshed, was named and its boundaries first defined at the second session of thjg. Territorial Legislature of Nebraska which convened at Omaha, Tuesday, DeceiTiber i8, 1855, at 10 o'clock in the forenoon. Hon. Mark W. Izzard was territorial governor, Benjamine R. Folsom was president of the council and Erastus G. McNeely, chief clerk. The speaker of the House was William Larimer, Jr., and Joseph W. Paddock, chief clerk.

Section i. Be it enacted by the Council and House of Representatives of the Territory of Nebraska, That all that portion of Territory included in the following hmits, is hereby declared organized into a county to be called Buffalo, commencing at a point in the centre of the Platte River, ten miles east from the mouth of Wood River, running thence westward up the southern channel of the Platte, to the mouth of Buffalo Creek, thence north thirty miles - thence east to a point directly north of the place of beginning, thence south to the place of beginning. The seat of justice is hereby located at Nebraska Centre.

In a general way it can be said the east line of the county thus established began at a point approximately south of the present City of Grand Island, and the western line of the county was near the present Village of Overton in Dawson County. Later, 1858-1871, the boundaries were changed to conform to the present boundaries.

On the establishment of Fort Kearney in 1848, the war department ordered a military reservation of ten miles square surrounding the fort to be surveyed and established. Accordingly the Fort Kearney military reservation was surveyed in 1848, (Morton history), this being the first survey of record in the county, and it appears that the lines thus established were recognized in all future surveys in both Buffalo and Kearney counties. In 1866 the second and third standard township lines in the county were surveyed and established by H. C. F. Hackbusch, the third standard being the present north line of the county and the second standard the line between townships eight (8) and nine (9). In 1866 range lines 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 were run by George F. McClure. In the same year, 1866, the township and section lines in ranges 13, 14. 15 and 16 were run by Edwin R. Farnsworth and H. C. F. Hackbusch and in 1868 the township and section lines in ranges 17 and 18 were run by VV. J. Allason. This completed the original survey of the county.

It will be noted that in the act organizing the county Nebraska Centre is named as the "Seat of Justice," the county seat; a history of Nebraska Centre somewhat in detail and as near as can be determined its exact location is herewith given :

Nebraska Centre

In the first published account of Buffalo County, Territory of Nel^ska,.^ mention is made of Nebraska Centre, and in the maps of Central Nebrasw^and Buffalo County of that date a rather indefinite location is given of Nebraska Centre, which is not to be wondered at, as there had been no official survey made of this portion of the territory, but few people (squatters) resided here and of necessity the hamlet named "Nebraska Centre" could have consisted of only a few log habitations.

It has been generally understood, and the editor of this history has so understood and written, that the place known as Nebraska Centre from 1855 to i860 was from i860 to 1873 known as Wood River Centre, and from 1873 to date (1916) as Shelton. But such seems not to have been the case. History seems to disclose that Nebraska Centre was located at that point known since about i860 as "Boyd's Ranch," which, when the lands in the county were surveyed in 1868, can best be described as the southwest one-quarter, section No. 14, town No. 9, range No. 14, now Gibbon Township, Buffalo County. Possibly a description, somewhat in detail, of settlements in Buffalo County previous to 1868, when the lands were surveyed and thrown open to settlement, may be of interest to a student of a history of our county. It appears that all travel in the Platte River Valley over the Overland-California-Mormon trail through what is now Buffalo County was south of Wood River. Until the building of the Union Pacific Railroad through the county in 1867 all settlements in the county were south of Wood River and adjacent to the above mentioned trail, and in the eastern portion of the county.

Fort Kearney was established in 1848. It was located on a military reservation ten miles square lying on both sides of the Platte River. The northeast corner of the reservation was on section No. 26, town No. 9, range No. 14, and the northwest corner of the reservation was on section No. 29, town No. 9, range No. 15. The military regulations in force at Fort Kearney did not permit any civilian to live upon the reservation - the ten miles square ; in fact, no civilian was permitted to so camp over night. Reference to a map will disclose 'that the north line of the Fort Kearney Military Reservation was south of the Boyd ranch and less than two miles distant, and hence it was that all travel over the Overland-California-Mormon trail up and down the Platte Valley passed through what might be termed the "door yard" of the Boyd ranch. West of the Boyd ranch Wood River bears towards the north and west, while the above mentioned trail bore towards the south and west. Also about a mile west of the Boyd ranch, and south of Wood River, begins a low blufif, extending westward between the trail and Wood River, which is doubtless the reason there were few, if any, settlers in the early days along Wood River west of the Boyd ranch, as such settlers would have been distant from and out of sight of the trail traveled by emigrants.

Going west the trail divided at the Boyd ranch, or Nebraska Centre, one trail continuing up the Platte Valley, passing through where is now the City of Kearney, the villages of Odessa and Elm Creek. The other trail was to Fort Kearney, some eleven miles distant, being eight miles west and six miles south of the Boyd ranch, and on the south bank of the Platte. Quite naturally there would have been a "ranch," a "center," at the crossing of the Platte opposite Fort Kearney, but as the crossing point was on the military reservation, there could be no "ranch," no "hamlet," at that point.

History seems to disclose that previous to i860 Nebraska Centre was located at the point later known as Boyd ranch; that it was the county seat of Buffalo County dating from the year 1855, when the county was named and bounded; that all the travel over the trail, on the north side of the Platte River, passed this point ; that there was here a ranch and store where grain and provisions could be purchased, a saloon, and a "townhouse," where elections were held.

It appears that beginning with the year i860 Wood River Centre became a center of recognized importance in Buffalo County, and Nebraska Centre ceased to be known to have a name in Central Nebraska and along the Overland trail. In the year 1858 Joseph E. Johnson located at a point on Wood River named Wood River Centre. In April, i860, he estabhshed a newspaper called the Huntsman's Echo. He established a store, a tintype gallery, a blacksmith shop, a wagon repair shop, and most important' of all, in the same year, a postoffice named Wood River Centre, himself as postmaster.

About that time the Western Stage Company extended its stage line from Iowa points through Omaha, up the north valley of the Platte to Fort Kearney, making their first stage station out of Fort Kearney at Wood River Centre on the farm now owned by Joseph Owen, and the station in charge of August Meyer, now (1916) living in Shelton.

It appears that beginning with the year i860 Nebraska Centre ceased to Jiave a legal existence, its name but a memory, and its exact location not with certainty determined by those of us residing in Buffalo County in the year 1916.

and to Albert Watkins, historian for the State Historical Society, we are indebted for the returns of said election, including the names of the voters as copied from the poll books. These returns are as follows :

"At an election held in the townhouse of Nebraska Centre, in the Precinct of Nebraska Centre, County of Buffalo, and Territory of Nebraska, on Tuesday, the nth day of October, 1859, the following named persons received the number of votes annexed to their respective names for the following described offices :

Names Of Voters In Poll Book

"At an election held at the house of J. H. Johnson, in the Precinct of Centralia, and County of Buffalo, and Territory of Nebraska, on Tuesday, October II, A. D. 1859, the following named persons received the number of votes annexed to their respective names for the following described offices : "Experience Estabrook, sixteen votes for member of Congress. "William W. Wyman, sixteen votes for territorial treasurer. "Robert C. Jordan, sixteen votes for auditor. "Alonzo D. Luce, sixteen votes for librarian.

"William E. Harvy, sixteen votes for commissioner of common schools. "James G. Chapman, sixteen votes for district attorney for First Judicial District.

"George Miller, "County Clerk for Buffalo County, Nebraska Territory." As bearing upon the question of the exact location of Nebraska Centre, we copy from "Collections, Volume 16," of the State Historical Society, page 193, as follows :

January 18, 19 10) "In the fall of 1859, after spending an exciting and adventurous summer in the newborn City of Denver, and the Rocky Mountains, in company with some old Pennsylvania friends with whom I had crossed the plains from Leavenworth City over the Smoky Hill route in the early spring, our party started from Denver with a mule team bound for Omaha.

"We followed the Pike's Peak trail, south of the south fork of the Platte River, to Julesburgh. thence down the old California trail to Fort Kearney. Great herds of buffalo, deer, elk and antelope were constantly in view. The Cheyenne Indians, who roamed over the plains between Fort Kearney and Denver, were furiously engaged in attacking emigrant trains, burning ranches and murdering the occupants. We had several skirmishes with the red devils who followed our trail many days.

"Ten miles west of Dobytown was the famous Keeler ranch. Here we met the notorious Tom Keeler, the terror of the plains and especially of the Cheyenne Indians. With all his native rudeness and roughness, however, Mr. Keeler was one of the most hospitable and generous men that I ever met. His buildings were all of sod, and the dwelling house was tidy and inviting. Mr. Keeler was loyally and lovingly attached to his wife and children.

"One day during the war period a cavalcade of rebels who were fleeing from the draft in Missouri stopped at his wells to obtain water for themselves and animals. Their mules were decorated with flags of the Confederacy, and the men were lustily hurrahing for Jefif Davis. This exhibition aroused Tom Keeler's Union feelings so intensely that he stood before the well with a gun in each hand, demanding that the rebel bunting be removed before any Union Nebraska water should be drawn. His wife stood at the door, armed with a double-barreled shotgun. After very acrimonious discussion the demand was complied with and the boisterous fugitives congratulated Keeler and his wife upon their courage and loyalty.

"A few weeks after we passed this ranch Mr. Keeler's stables, containing forty head of horses, together with 200 tons of hay, were wantonly set on fire by the Cheyenne Indians and totally destroyed. In later years Mr. Keeler removed to Eastern Nebraska and settled on the Elkhorn River, near Elkhorn City. In 1878 he met his death in a shotgun duel with Daniel Parmalee, a prominent citizen of Omaha.

"Dobytown, two miles w^est of Fort Kearney, contained about three hundred people. The houses were built of adobe or sod, one story high. It was on the extreme western verge of civilization and was a great rendezvous for outlaws and gamblers, who practiced their nefarious arts on the unsophisticated pilgrims.

"At a point opposite the fort the Platte River was three miles wide, containing numerous small islands and many deep and treacherous channels ; yet this was the only real safe fording place between Julesburgh and the Missouri River.

"On arrival at the Boyd ranch, eleven miles east of the fort, our team was so fatigued that we were compelled to rest for three days. Here James E. Boyd operated a small trading post and ranch, carrying on a large traffic with the officers and soldiers of the fort, making profitable contracts for supplying wood from the margin of the river and from islands which had been reserved by the Government for military purposes; also for hay that grew abundantly on the Platte bottoms. While we tarried here the territorial election was held for choosing a delegate to Congress. This was the only polling place between Grand Island and Fort Kearney, a distance of thirty miles. The democratic candidate was Experience Estabrook of Omaha, and the republican candidate was Samuel

G. Daily. There were twenty-two votes cast at the Boyd ranch, eleven of them by officers and soldiers from the fort. Great interest was manifested in the contest. I speak with emphasis and pleasure of the strenuous and useful career of Mr. Boyd. He assisted in the construction of the Union Pacific roadbed, projected the first railway north from Omaha, established the first large pork packing plant at Omaha and erected the first large theater in the city.

"The Wood River plain, which we followed a distance of twenty miles, presented a magnificent view; but there were only half a dozen settlers in that long stretch. At Wood River Crossing *Pap' Lamb, well known along the Platte Valley, was operating a ranch and stage station. About this time the W'estern Stage Company, which was operating lines in Iowa, Wisconsin and other border states, established a route between Omaha and Pike's Peak - the name by which the Denver region was generally known - and stations were established from ten to fifteen miles apart. Mr. Lambs' ranch was one of them, and he drove to the next station west."

In a footnote to Mr. Anderson's paper (in part here quoted), Albert Watkins, historian for the State Historical Society, writes as follows :

"John K. Lamb, writing from Fort Kearney, April ii. i860, to the Omaha Republican of April 18, i860, remarked that Kearney City 'is better known as Adobe Town.' And he observed that Doctor Henry was doing a large business there. (Dr. Charles A. Henry was the father of Mrs. James E. Boyd.) Testimony taken by Samuel G. Daily in his contest against Experience Estabrook for a seat in Congress tended to show that at the time of the election of October 11, 1859, there were at Kearney City not over eight houses, not over fifteen residents, and not one acre of cultivated land or a farmhouse in the neighborhood of Kearney City. It also showed that at Nebraska Centre, the place named as the county seat (of Buffalo County), there was but one dwelling house, one storehouse and one warehouse. ( Statement of Representative Campbell of Pennsylvania on behalf of Daily. Congressional Globe, first session. Thirty-sixth Congress, part 3, page 2180.) The returns of the election show that 238 of the 292 votes of Buffalo County were cast at Kearney City. These were rejected because Kearney City, being situated south of the Platte River, was not within Buffalo County."

Albert \\'atkins, historian of the State Historical Society, writing in reference to the location of both "Centralia" and "Nebraska Centre" says:

"Relevant to the footnote on page 196, 'Collections of the Nebraska State Historical Society,' Volume XVI : Stephen H. Wattles, a witness for Daily, testified that 'There is no such town as Centralia, but [it] is the name given to a precinct. The election purports to have been held at the house of ^Ir. Johnson, on Wood River.'

"The witness testified also, of Nebraska Centre, that 'It has one dwelling house, one storehouse, one barn or stable and one warehouse.' He said that he was at Nebraska Centre about eighteen hours and saw only three persons there who appeared to be residents. He testified further that Nebraska Centre and Centralia 'are on the direct line of thoroughfare from the Missouri River to the mines.' At Centralia he saw only four, five or six houses. He saw none anywhere except on Wood River."

The question of the dehnite loeation of Nebraska Centre was referred to Joseph Owen of Shelton. In exphmation let it be said Mr. Owen came to Buffalo County in 1863 and has since resided here. Mr. Owen has served as treasurer of School District No. i since its organization in 1870 to date (1916). He has also served as a member and as chairman, of the county board of supervisors. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Ann Oliver, is a sister of Ed Oliver. Ed Oliver, also mentioned, came to Buffalo County in i860. He worked for Joseph E. Johnson at Wood River Centre in 1860-61. He has served as county treasurer in 1871-72 and as a member of the board of county commissioners.

Mr. Joseph Owen, under date of January 28, 1916, writes, in substance, as follows: "I have always known that the J. E. Boyd place, when I came here in 1863, was known as Nebraska Centre, and Mr. Ed Oliver, who worked for J. E. Johnson (at Wood River Centre), never heard of Centralia Precinct. My wife (maiden name, Sarah Ann Oliver) was acquainted with the Wilsons (Charles and Henry) and Boyd, as she worked for Mrs. Boyd when a girl. Henry Wilson lived on the Kelsey place (this the northeast one-quarter section No. 13, town No. 9, range No. 14, in Gibbon Township). His father was drowned in the Platte River and his body never recovered, before I came here. John Britt and George Burke bought out Henry Peck in 1863. This land is now a part of the Village of Shelton. All the other people named as voting at the Boyd place (Nebraska Centre) are entirely unknown to the Olivers, and we are at a loss to know where they all lived. They certainly did not live along Wood River.

"Mrs. Owen says she was acquainted with Henry Peck, Thomas Page, John Eames, J. E. Johnson, Henry Sharp, John B. and James McCallister, Joseph Houfif and Patrick Carroll. They all lived at Wood River Centre."

The Boyd ranch has a definite location. It was the first land filed upon in Buffalo County by Joseph Boyd in 1868. There seems no question but what the Boyd ranch was at Nebraska Centre.