Custer County, Nebraska - The whole text, 1901 (part 6 of 9)

In 1883, the fine section of school land in Lee's Park was put upon the market, and two brothers, C A. and W. A. Forbes, energetic young men, w^ere fortunate enough to obtain 100 acres each. At the same time, J. L. H. Knight purchased the remaining 820 acres for W. S. Delano, who was then in the signal service, and who was one of Mr. Knight's classmates in the Michigan agricultural college. In 1886, his term of enlistment expired, and very willing was he to leave the service of Uncle Sam to engage in farming. He at once commenced raising seeds for D. M. Ferry & Co., of Deti'oit, Michigan. His two brothers, F. E. Delano and Milton Delano, shortly afterw^ards entered into partnership with him, under the firm name of Delano Bros.

The early settlers of Lee's Park underwent many hardships and privations. Corn stalks and willows were the main reliance in those days for fuel. The mail service at first was not very good ; for a while their postoflSce was at Ijoup City, a distance of twenty-two miles; afterwards there was an office egtablished at Westcott, which was twelve miles distant, but shortly it was arranged to have an office on Clear creek, four miles west of the park. Thia was quickly followed in the fall of 1878 or '79, with Uncle Sam s locating one in Lee's Park.

During the fall of 1878, the first district school meeting was held in Lee's Park, which w^as then organized as Joint District No. 11, of Custer and Valley counties. This meeting was held at the house of Parish Freeman, and it was decided to build a sod schoolhouse, which was completed the following spring. During the summer of 1S78, a Sunday school was organized with Benjamin Knight as superintendent. It was held from house to house, and occa- sionally Father Cook, a Baptist minister living on the Middle Loiip, came over and preached. After the schoolhouse was built, the Sunday school and preaching was held there. This sod schoolhouse was occupied for years, until it was declared unsafe, when a sod building was hired of F. E. Morrison, to hold school in. During these years, the school district being large, and in two counties, caused much disagreement. Some wished it divided, while others wished it to remain as it was. Finally the south end was allowed to go off with District No. 91. This, however, did not settle the matter, and school meeting after school meeting was called, which finally resulted, in 1889, in dividing the district on the county line. The following summer, these districts built new frame schoolhouses, one in Custer county, and one in Valley county.

In April, 1884, the town of Jjee Park was laid out in Custer county on the town line, and the same vear, the Lillv and Houder addition to Lee Park was laid out, adjoining the original town, and in Valley county, with the postoflBce in Valley county. Then came quite a little boom for the new town. A general merchandise store was built by Lilly & Houder, to which the postoffice was removed; then followed a blacksmith shop, a hotel, a wagon shop, and a feed stable. This little town was progressing finely when the B. & M. railroad concluded to outdo the U. P. railroad, and so built past Loup City, the terminus of the U. P. railroad, and stopped at Arcadia, five miles from Lee's Park. The little town held out for a while, but the railroad town of Arcadia took away its vitality, and after some struggles, the town of Lee's Park wa« no more. All the buildings were torn down or removed, and an attempt wafl made to take away even the postoffice. The attempt was nearly, or quite successful, as the office was actually removed to Arcadia, but prompt action was taken by patrons of the office, and an order came for its return, only a day after its removal. The postoffice was afterwards removed from Valley county across the line into Custer county, where it still remains. The fact that originally the postoffice was in Valley county, and is now in Custer county, has caused some confusion as to the real location of Lee's Park, some thinking it in Valley, and some in Custer county. The name of the town and postoffice has also been confused with the name of the valley. Originally the postoffice had the same name as the valley, but Jay Hamlin, while postmaster, had the name of the office changed to Lee Park, consequently the name of the postoffice is Lee Park, and the name of the Valley is Lee's Park.

At the time of the laying out of the town, a cemetery association was formed, and five acres of land was purchased from W. S. Delano, and laid out as the Lee's Park cemetery. Trees were soon set out and cared for, and in conseqnence the cemetery is (jiiite a fine one at this time. The following year the Catholic cemetery was laid out one-lialf mile north of I^ee's Park cemetery. The farmers of Lee's Park are honest and industrious, and are not of the shifting kind. Most of the old settlers are still residing here, and seem to have no idea of soon changing their location. This makes it diflBcult to purchase a farm in Lee's Park, and when one is sold, it is at good figures. The farmers have organized a farmers' club in the park, which shows they are anxious to learn. It might be interesting in closing this nan'ative to remark that James Lee who lived here alone for so many years, is still residing here, but he is no longer a lonc^ly bachelor, for a wife and four children cheer him in his home.

West Union precinct is situated north of the Middle I»up river, extending north to the county line, and in sha])e is an irregular triangle, its length being about twenty miles, and its mean width about six miles. The general lay of the land is undulating; the soil, as a general thing, is black, sandy loam, very productive, although here and there in the Middle Loup valley, as well as on the elevated land in the northwest part of the precinct, sand predominates. Xot to the great extent, however, of making it non-productive.

Almost the entire precinct is now utilized either for farming or for pasturage. The settlement, growth and development of West Union precinct has proceeded slowly since the year 1878. During this year the first permanent settlers: J. R. Orvis, R. G. Carr and father, Elmer Sweet and father, C. H. Peters, Elias Whaley, Gil Scott, Gus Cosier and Jerry Phelps, all from Brush Creek, Iowa, settled in what is now the vicinity of West Union. J. R. Orvis and R. G. Carr located the town of West Union, each of them taking as many claims as they could hold under the law. These persons evidently contemplated the stock business, as at that time the range waa unlimited. The following year another flood of settlers came in, and took up quarters. T. W^.

And Short Of Bahli Davs In Nsbbaska

Dean, Leroy Ijeep. Jobn I'frehni, Sr,. and a host of others, narrowing the range to sacb an extent that tliey decided to engage in fnrming and mercantile busineBS. From this time on. there was almost a constant influx of settlers until but a short time afterwards, in 1880, we find Lewis Sutton, O. S.

Urs. J. C. Predmobb

The next spring. April oth. 1880, T. J. Butcher and two of his sons, S. D. and G. W., and J. It. Wabel. bis son-in-law, arrived at T. W. Dean's place, J, B. Wabel afterwards located about one and one-half miles west of the place of T. W. Dean. T. J. and S. D. Butcher located further up the valley near Gates postofflce. The same year came Fred Shoemaker, Henry Pulliam, Lyman Pike, Surene Pike, Orvas Pike, Ben Greibel, A. S. Burgher, C. E. Freeman, J, P. Halsey, Monroe Freeman, J. L. Walker, Eli Carson, Al Darling and George Pence, and in 1882 came S. W. Leep and four sons, William Stalling and sons, W, R. Swan and flons, Herbert Richards, James Farley, Robert Parley, James Milburn, William Milburn, Dick Clifford, Fred Girding, J. C. Vose, T. Gill, J. H. UUom, Charles Arndt and John Murphy, who located in the west end of the precinct near Milburn. Aside from the persona heretofore named, many other settlements were made in this precinct during the '8 thein a floating population which has given way to subsequent x>^rinanent settlers. The pioneer settlers heretofore mentioned include only those who are known as settlers of the Middle Loup valley.

It will be remembered that the Middle Loup valley does not include all the territory in the subject of this sketch. What is known as the hill, or table land, including the various tables and parts, is also situated in this precinct, and comprises a major portion thereof, and was settled about the same time that the valley land was settled, the soil being of equally good quality, and admirably adapted to agricultui'e. Cummings Park, a beautiful and almost level table land, comprising several thousand acres, is situated north and west of the town of West Union, and within four miles thereof.

In the year 1879. (leorge Cummings, William Cummings, Samuel Abernathy and Aleck Nelson moved from Clinton, Iowa, and located in the heart of this park, hence the name Cummings Park. In the year 1882, James and Gilbert Cummings settled near the county line, or about two miles from George and William. After this came James Abernathy, Robert Northy, Eli Jameson, James Wilson, Ilenry Plathe, Joe and George Ankney, W\ Beager and sons, and various others. Tlie hill laud as well as the valley was also partly settled by frontiersmen, or tioating x>opulation, that has long since abandoned it and given place to a more substantial and permanent class of people; but tliose that have been hei^etofore mentioned are still residents of the precinct with but few exceptions. About one year ago the B. & M. milroad company extended its line of railroad from Arcadia to Sargent, a town located six miles east of the town of West Union, so that instead of it re<]uiring two days to make a trip to the railroad, it only becomes necessary to take one; thus a long felt want has been supplied.

West Union at the present time consists of two genenil stores, P. Metcalf, who also runs the postoflice, and William Pfrehm; Walmbsley & Smith, drugs; William Peterson, blacksmith; Mrs. William Pfrehm, millinery; James Pointer, artist.

It might be of interest to the reader to know something of the personal incidents or reminiscences pertaining to the settlement of this precinct. We have heretofore had occasion to mention the names of T. W. Dean. I^roy Leep and Gus Cosier. A peculiar incident happened to these parties on November 20th, after their settlement in the precinct. About three o'clock in the morning Mr. Dean was awakened from a sound sleep, and discovered that his room was as light as day - the whole heavens seemed to be on fire. He sprang out of bed, gathered his pants, and proceeded to put them on. At this moment Gus Cosier came dashing up shouting "firel fire! fire!" It was a prairie fire coming from the northwest - a grand and awful eight, never to be fwgotten. Property and life were at stake. The head fire was coming on in the west of them at the speed of a race horse. A stiff gale was blowing from the northwest. One hundred yards in advance of the main body of fire. Dean bad turned his horses loose and they proceeded south toward the river. A

This left Mr. Dean without a team, but this matter was adjusted, how ever. Gus Cosier had an ox team, hut no wagon, so they formed a partner-

The house of Mr. Dean and Mr. Cosier and their effects were saved. Thev now look back to those days and wonder how they could possibly get along. They are now in comfortable circumstances - possessing all the modem conveniences, having horses, carriages and farm machinery in abundance. Prairie fires in those days were not unfrequent. and the story just told is similar to many like occurrences in the days of the fir-st settlement of this precinct.

We have heretofore made mention of Cummings park and the early settlers thereof. This is an elevated portion of the precinct, and wells to the depth of 200 feet or more are the rule, and there are some wells that would exceed 250 feet. In the first settlement of this locality the well or water question was a very perplexing one. It was known that the whole country contained sheet water on a certain level, and of course on hill land it was farther to water than on low land. Settlers were poor, and as a rule were unable to bear the expense of a hydraulic or a casing well, as they now have it; as a consequence they resorted to digging wells, even at that great distance, casing them with lumber through the sand and gravel, and drawing or elevating the water by means of a horse, or two horses, as the case might be. with a rope extending over pulleys, attached to a half barrel, with a valve in the bottom. Among those who had wells as above described were Samuel Abemathy and James Cummings, and by reason of that a sad coincidence happened each. la the fall of 1883 Samuel Abernathy caused a well to be dug on his premises to the depth of 196 feet, having procured an inexhaustible supply of water. Soon after its construction one morning, while attempting to draw water, the bucket or barrel, caught at the bottom of the well against the curb. Mr. Abemathy, thinking that it would be necessary to go to the bottom of the well to unfasten the bucket, there being no rope convenient except the one that the bucket was fastened to, told his brother that he could fasten the rope at the top and twine it around his foot and slide to the bottom of the well. His brother protested against such a hazardous undertaking, but to no avail, and he at once attempted to make the descent. After having proceeded about six feet from the top of the well his hold gave way and he fell to the bottom of the well, 190 feet To the surprise of his brother he was found to be alive and conscious. Help was summoned, and on investigation it was found that by his falling into the bucket or barrel he had jarred it loose, whereupon he gave orders that he was able to hold onto the bucket or rope until they could raise him from the well. They proceeded to draw him up, and to the surprise of all they were successful in doing this, landing him at the top conscious, yet badly bruised and mangled, one arm broken in several places, his legs broken and his body badly bruised. Although everything was done that could possibly be done for his comfort, he only lived about four hours.

Later on, in September, 1885, James Cummings, one of Cummings Park's lespected citizens, met with a sad and similar fate to the one just narrated. Koon after his settlement, he caused a well to be dug after the style of the one mentioned above, but to the depth of 210 feet. This well had been dug for about three years, and Mr. Cummings, thinking that possibly the curb had become rotten to such an extent that it would be necessary to recurb, said to his wife one morning that he would hitch a team to the end of the rope and tie a stick to the other end, and she might let him down in the well for the purpose of examining it, whereupon the rope was drawn out its full length, laid u];)on the ground, one end extending over the pulley and tied in the center of a stick about two feet long, and a team hitched to the other end, face from the well.

Mr. Cummings, taking a small stick in his hand, and sitting on the stick and ristride the rope, directed his wife to back the team and let him down slowly. Slowly and slowly the team backed. The wife could hear the rapping of the stick on the curb until within about ten feet of the bottom of the well she lH»ard the cry of "stop!'' Then again she heard the rapping of the stick on the curb, then instantly came loud and clear a tremendous crash. The wife, well knowing the cause, instantly screamed at the team, but they coulJ not raise the husband from the earth that had fallen upon him. She hastened to the well and called to her husband, but no response was heard. She called again and again, but everything was still as death. Excited and terror-stricken she called for help. Friends and neighbors, hearing her cry, hurried to the rescue. What could be done? Buried alive 200 feet below the surface of the earth! Kews of the disaster spread like wild fire. Stout men and sympathizing women hurried to the scene to lend such aid as might be necessaiT. On investigation it was found that the well had caved in for a distance of over twenty feet, leaving a large cavity above Mr. Cummings. After examining the situation, it was decided to send for one William Garlock, who was an exi>erienced well man. During this time nothing was done, but ujion his arrival he took charge of the rescuing, and said that it would be necessary to procure lumber to recurb the portion caved in; consequently teams were sent to W>st Union and the work of rescuing proceeded as rapidly as possible. He first directed that it would be necessary to shovel dirt into the well for the purpose of filling up the cavity before proceeding with the digging. After this was done and the curb cut, ready to place in the well, Mr. Garlock, with the aid of helpers, proceeded to uncover the doomed man. At this time he was covered with dirt to the depth of about twenty feet. Soon after the digging began, Mr. Garlock reported that Mr. Cummings was alive, for he could hear him breathing. This was a great surprise to the friends and neighbors who were so anxiously waiting. The work proceeded with more rapidity than before, and report after report came up from the well digger that Mr. Cummings was still alive. After about ten hours of constant work the head of the doomed man was uncovered, and to the surprise of all it w^as found that he was conscious and able to give instructions. Slowly, slowly and persistently the noble well digger proceeded, until the entire body down below the knees was uncovered.

At this time everybody was anxiously listening for orders to pull the doomed man to the top, but instead a voice was heard from below: "Let the rope down! I want to come up!'' The rope was quickly let down and the well man taken from the well. Evervbodv wondered what was the matter, and gathered about him for information. He told them that he could do no more; that the man's feet were under the curb, and that he could not extend his curb on account of the dry ground - that if he undertook to dig below the curb, as he would have to do in order to get his feet out, the ground would run in and cause the well to cave, and that it could not possibly be done. He further said that the only thing that could be done was to fasten a rope around him and pull him loose by force; that there was one chance of saving his life in this way, but that he was entirely exhausted, and could do nothing more. Another man being present who had had some experience in well making, volunteered to go down and fasten the rope around him. After this was done, as many as twenty-five men took hold of the rope above, and at a command, began pulling gradually, pulling harder and harder until the rope broke.

As quick as thought some one present suggested that he had at his home a three-quarter rope that he thought was strong enough to pull him out, and accordingly some one was dispatched for the rope, and in a very short time returned with it. Again the well man descended and securely fastened the rope around the body, and again returned to the top of the well. On his arrival, as many men as could get hold of the rope did so, and at a command began pulling as before. Steady, stronger and stronger they pulled until the body was released, every man falling to his knees, the rope haWng been drawn so tight that when he became loosened he was thrown up several feet. Orders were given to raise him fast, lest the well should again cave. After he was drawn out of danger, orders were given to go slow. This was done, and in a few seconds Mr. Cummings was at the top of the well, alive, rational and loiner were fresh and easy to trace. As tiiU was l>ut one instance in uiiiny of recent occurrence in the neighborhood, Messrs. Roten and Aahley determined they would thoroughly investigate and detect if possible tlie culjirit.

We are not certain as to the length of time they were absent before thnir friends became uneasy and instituted a search. Some days, however, hiid elapsed, when a searching party visited HainiBiine's liome, which was back from the road and isolated, and found it i]i)o<'cu])iL'd. In looking around they discovered the bodies of the missing men, near the house, partly covered by hay. Subsequent events disclosed tlie fact that on reaching Haunstine's house and making their business known, he delivered to them the clock which he confessed to having taken from the school house; that whUe they remained within no words or trouble occurred, but when they left the house and started for their wagon he took down his rifle and shot them while their backs were turned, killing them instantly. He then searched them and secured about J40 in money, their watches and a rifle and revolver. Their team he tied in an old deserted sod bouse on an adjoining claim, and gathering together a few household effects, he and his wife started to get out of the country. They went to Arnold, changed teams, and drove down the South Loup river to near Madison, where Haunstine hired out to husk corn. He worked three days, sold his team and then started for Columbus, where his wife had already gone. Just as the train was nearing town it was flagged by officers who were on

And Short Sketches Of Sablt Dats In Nebraska

He was tried at tbe Marcb term of tbe District Court. H. M. Sullivan, wbo was county attorney, bad been consulted by tbe prisoner prior to bis election, and bad, therefore, some scruples against acting as prosecuter. As a substitute, however, be employed Judge Wall of Loup City, wbo, with tbe firm of Blair & Campbell, represented tbe state. The defense was conducted by C. L. Gutterson, A. R. Humphry and N. V. Harlen of York. He was found guilty and sentenced to be bung on September 6th following. Tbe case was ai^aled to tbe Supreme Court, and be was again sentenced to be bung, April 17, 1891. His defense was insanity, and before the date fixed for his execution he acted so strangely that a jury was called to determine his mental condition. Tbe trial lasted three days. Public sentiment against tbe prisoner was so strong that a good deal of trouble was experienced in selecting a jury. The following named persons were finally agreed upon: J. I. Dillenbeck, T. A. Tbum, James Dinwiddle, Frank Newbeck, J. C. Hunter, C. U. Richardson, John Curry, Nolan Webb, A. R. Huckleberry, A. Cross, T. H. McCarger and J. L. Compton. The witnesses for the defense were Mrs. Dr. Talbot, Miss Anna Crawford, Mrs. Wm. Blair, O. M. Kem, Wm. Blair, Wm. Hartsell, John Miller, Charles Parkhurst and Robert Norcutt. For the state were: Dr. Carter, physician at the state penitentiary; Dr. Knapp, superintendent insane asylum at Lincoln, Dr. C. Pickett, Dr. J. J. Pickett, county physician ; Dr. C. H. Morris, Sheriff Jones and Rev. O. R. Beebe, all of whom, with the exception of Dr. Knapp (who said that without a more extended observation he was not prepared to state whether be was sane or insane), pronounced him sane, and believed that his condition was a feigned one. The prosecution was conducted by the attorneys who had managed the case from tbe beginning, wbile to tbe defense was added H. M. Sullivan, whose term of office as county attorney bad expired. It was one of the hardest fought and most ably conducted legal battles ever witnessed in Custer couty. Mr. Campbell (then county attorney), was a lawyer of long practice, he was familiar with every turn and detail of tbe case, bis associates were men of exceptional ability. Judge Wall, especially, ranked high as a trial lawyer, was keen and resourceful, a good reasoner and an eloquent pleader. Gutterson, Humphrey and Harlan were experienced and well-informed practitioners, and the addi tion of Sullivan made a quartette that combined qualities well night invulnerable. They were, however, placed in a most trying position. The prejudice against tbe prisoner was marked and universal. No circumstance connected with the killing of bis victims could be urged in palliation. It was a cold- blooded, unprovoked butchery of two respected and highly esteemed citizens, and public sentiment demanded his execution. The date of hanging was fixed for the following day and a vast multitude had assembled from all x>arts of the county and from different portions of the state as well. The determined expression and sullen silence of the crowd was ominous. Representatives of the press from Lincoln, Omaha and elsewhere were present, awaiting the hour when the prisoner should atone for his crime. Adjoining the court house and facing its south door, tlie gallows was being en^ted and the din of the workmen's hammers were distinctly heard in the court room. None were more keenly alive to the situation and the odds against him than the prisoner's counsel. By mutual agreement the principal plea in his behalf was made by Mr. Sullivan. He remained calmly in his seat until the proper moment arrived. When he arose to address the jury no sound save the breathing of the audience could be heard. With a few preliminary remarks, in which he avowed his belief, and that of his associates, in the irresponsibility of the prisoner, he pushed eagerly forward into the very heart of the matter. The scene that followed was bewilderingly rapid in transformations; his appeal seemed absolutely to swell with indignation. Every look, word and gesture showed the intensity of his feelings. Those who were opposed to him in their belief as to the mental condition of the prisoner were forced to admire the determined and intrepid courage manifested in the face of all opposition. As by the legerdemain of some skilled magician, that vast audience was swayed and moved by the passionate appeals of the orator and the dramatic episodes that marked its delivery. The prisoner alone sat unmoved. The veteran judge who for years had sat upon the bench and listened to the most powerful pleadings of attorneys of note and orators of national renown, was visibly affected by the eloquence and earnestness of the young lawyer, and afterwards, in conversation with the writer, paid high tribute to his splendid effort. But no power on earth could save his client. The sword of justice, so long suspended, was about to descend. The judge delivered his charge and the jury retired to their rooms for deliberation. They returned to the court room several times for further instructions, and for the i-eading of different i)art8 of the testimony. They also examined the cell, and appeared to be according the doomed man every chance. At 2 o'clock in the morning they came into court with a verdict of sanity. The prisoner received the verdict with the same stolid indifference that had characterized his appearance during the whole inquiry. When, however, the time arrived that had been designated by the court as the fatal morning, the doomed man seemed to have thrown off the mask and was. apparently, trying to fit himself for his impending fate. He requested Sheriff Jones to call in Father Haley to administer the necessary consolation in the last moments of his earthly career. At half past 10 o'clock the priest visited the jail and learned his wishes. He requested the priest to come early next morning and prepare him to die a sincere Catholic. At the appointed hour Father Haley visited the jail, explained the doctrine of his church, and stated the necessary conditions for one who embraces the Catholic faith. Being satisfied as to the prisoner's sincerity and disposition to become a Catholic, he heard his confession; had him make the profession of faith, and administered the sacrament of baptism according to the rites of the church.

In the meantime a rumor had been floating about that a telegram had been received by Sheriff Jones from Governor Boyd, granting to the condemned a reprieve for thirty days, which, upon investigation, proved true. After the fact became generally known, great indignation was freely expressed. About 3 o'clock in tlie afternoon the immense throng became restless, and muttered threatenings began to be heard on all sides. Just at this critical moment, before the thunder cloud of discontent and distrust of the law could burst forth, the calm, dignified person of Judge Hamer appeared upon the stone steps at the front door of the court house, who briefly, in a clear, ringing voice, addressed the people as follows :

"Fellow Citizens of Custer County - 1 have been trying to administer the law in this county, as I interpreted it, fairly, carefully and candidly - so carefully that no decision handed down by me upon this bench has been reversed. Have patience; the majesty of the law will be maintained. 1 have always found the people of this county law-abiding citizens; 1 have always found them ready to defend the innocent and punish the guilty. If, as 1 have been informed, there seems to be a disposition to murmur at the law's delay arising among you, I pray you be patient. Pause; make no mistake. This man whom you would have expiate his offense upon the gallows to-day was tried by a fair and impartial jury of his countrymen and found guilty. As he had a perfect right to do, he appealed his case to the Supreme Court, and there the verdict of your jury was sustained and he was again sentenced to be hanged. Where there is a question of the sanity of a prisoner under sentence of death, the law provides that upon notice from the sheriff of the county it becomes the duty of the district judge to cause a jury to be empanelled to make inquiry as to the sanity or insanity of such prisoner. 1 received such a notice. Such a jury was called, and after careful inquiry, pronounced him sane. I desire to again call the attention of the people to the fact that, as to the prisoner, he stands in this position: He was tried and convicted. He was again convicted and is now ready for execution. I therefore ask you to do your duty as law-abiding citizens. I want to say to you that the arm of the law is all powerful if it can have the support of honest men. I know Governor Boyd, and I believe that he is an honest man. He must have had good reason for granting this reprieve. We do not know what showing may have been made to him. There are always two sides to a question, and I believe that we should have patience and trust the man that your ballots have placed in such a high position. You have yet no reason to complain. Wait. You will be protected. Telegrams have been sent, but as yet we have received no answer. You have no reason to doubt vet. I am aware of the fact that the burden of taxation upon you is already heavy - no one knows this better than I - but the expense has already been made. No further expense is to be incurred. I therefore ask you, as honest men, as law-abiding citizens, that you do nothing rash. Let it be said that the law has triumphed in Custer county, and that justice reigns. I thank you."

During this speech the crowd listened with the most respectful attention, and, seemingly satisfied, began to disperse. Later, however, headed by friends and relatives of the murdered men, and armed with crow bars and a sledge hammer, the crowd, which had now assumed the semblance of a mob, filed into the court house and demanded the keys of the sheriff, but were refused and a scuffle ensued. This was a most critical period, and but for the personal efforts of Judge Wall, who stood in the door of the sheriff's office and with his giant strength kept back the onrushing crowd, commanding them at the same time, in the name of the law, to desist, the sheriff would have been overpowered and the keys secured. At this juncture Judge Hamer, who had been striving to allay the excitement outside, arrived, and mounting a chair, he exhorted and commanded the mob to desist. He assured them no undue effort would be made to prevent the punishment of Haunstine and defended the action of the governor as thoroughly justified under the circumstances; that the prisoner merited death, but let it be meted out to him legally and not by violence in contempt and violation of law. As through sheer exhaustion he discontinued speaking, James Whitehead, who was called for, responded as follows:

"Gentlemen - As you well know, until last April I was a resident of Grant precinct, where this murder was committed. I was well acquainted with Roten and Ashley, whose lives were cruelly taken by the one you now demand shall expiate the penalty of his crime upon the gallows that has been prepared for his execution. They were friends of mine. I had met them in their homes, worked with them in the harvest field, and under different circumstances been oast into their society. They were men of integrity and good standing in the neighborhood, and I deemed it an honor to have been classed among their friends. Standing here beside me is a near relation of one of the men so fonlly murdered; behind me is his brother, David Roten, while to the left I recognize a son of Mr. Ashley. These men are honored and respected citizens of Grant township. I cannot blame them that having quietly, as law-abiding citizens, permitted the law, so far, to take its course, they now demand that Haunstine, who desolated their homes and removed their father and brother from their midst, who has caused them untold sorrow and inexpressible anguish of heart, shall here and now meet the punishment he has merited by liis unprovoked and diabolical crime. For them now to seek this as a last Cifxtreme measure - to take the law into their own hands and see that justice is surely and speedily executed - there is much to be said in palliation. But, gentlemen, for you to do so, while it might hasten, it would not, in my opinion, <ihange the result. This reprieve is only a temporary stay of execution lELounstine is sure to be hung, and that within the next thirty days; then I fceseech you to allow the law to take its course. The honor of our county, the :Kreputation of its citizens, are involved in your action here to-day. Two years ^go, while discharging my duty as your representative, I was told in the heat of debate in the legislative halls of this state that the citizens of Custer c?ountv are hoodlums and outlaws. I resented the insinuation with all the in- <iignation of one who had faith in the honor and manhood of his people. Now, it rests with you to prove to the people of this great commonwealth that I 'was correct in my estimation of you; that you are of truth law-abiding citizens. Judge Hamer has promised you that Haunstine shall not be removed from this jail. Sheriff Jones has done the same. Our judge has promised j'Ou that he will personally visit the governor and present this case properly to him. Mr. Stockham, who has some acquaintance with Governor Boyd, has also told you he will start in the morning for the state capital. What more do you want? Gentlemen, those of you who live in Grant township, who have known and associated with me, know that it has been my honest endeavor to redeem every promise and fulfill every pledge made you, and I now say, only preserve the patience that has hitherto characterized you for the thirty days' stay fixed by the governor, and if at the end of that time Haunstine is not executed by law, assemble here again, and I promise that I will be one who will assist you in meting out justice to this murderer in your own way and manner. Only do this, and every precinct in the county will be under obligations to make honorable recognition and acknowledgment of the patience, forbearance and law-abiding qualities of the citizens of Grant

James Stockham, chairman of the countv board, was then called for and exhorted the assembled multitude to stand by and vindicate the majesty of the law. '^A great crime has been committed, and not unjustly or unreasonably, you now demand that justice shall be visited upon the perpetrator of this crime. This will be done, and done legally under the law. I promise you that I will start to-morrow morning for Lincoln. I will see the governor. Judge Hamer says he will accompany me (Judge Hamer: **ril be right there") and I have no reason to doubt that when this matter is properly presented to him he will permit the execution to proceed and Haunstine wiD be hung. I am addressing no mob, but an uprising of the people in their honest indignation, and I doubt not you will listen to reason and let the law be vindicated.''

Judge Wall of Loup City, in strong and mauly tones, appealed to their sense of right and said: **I have been one to help wring a verdict of guilty from the jury that trit^ this man two long years ago. But I insist that as law-abiding citizens, you wait until the law shall take its course."

Others spoke. Amid the tumult the reporter was unable to catch their names. With additional assurance from Judge Hamer and Sheriff Jones that the prisoner should not be removed from the county the crowd quietly dispersed and went to their homes.

In an excellently written account of the exciting events that followed the announcement of the governor's reprieve, the State Journal thus aUnded to the presence of Mrs. Roten, wife of one of the men murdered by Haunstine: **She is a splendid looking woman, but twenty-six years of age, and the mother of four children rendered fatherless by Haunstine's crime. She stood in tbe very midst of the thickest part of the struggle with a nerve that excited the wonder of all who witnessed the spectacle. The leaders of the mob circled around her, whispering to her for counsel, as if she were their queen, and if she had finally insisted on Haunstine's execution, no power at the command of the sheriff could have prevented them fulfilling her command. The peacemakers besought her earnestly, with even;- asurance of the justice of the outcome, to ask the men to disperse, but she called attention to the fiendishness of the crime and to her fatherless children as an excuse for refusing to say a word in the culprit's behalf. Failing in this aim, the peacemakers turned their endeavors toward preventing her from giving encouragement to the mob, and succeeded.

Whitehead, who waited upon the governor to obtain asurance that no furthet obstacle would be offered to the execution of the sentence, they were informed that aa far as any action of his might be concerned, their trip was utterly naeless. He Intimated that he proposed to offer no further delay than that provided for in his order of respite, and E^hould not have offered that had he been informed in time of the result of the investigation of Haunstine's alleged insanity.

Thirty days thereafter, at an early hour in the morninji, the streets of Broken Bow began to flU with jwople from the surrounding country to witness the cloaing cei-emonies of the doomed man's career on earth. The center of attraction for the crowd appeared to be the enclosure of rough boards adjointhe south end of the court house, which hid from public gaze the scaffold from which the murderer was to be dropped into eternity. The doors of the court house were closed against the admission of alt except those who had a permit from the sheriff, and a wire fence was placed about the shed containing the scaffold at a distance of about twenty feet. It had been decided to have the execution at 1 o'clock, but this was not known to the public generally. Accordingly as early as 9 o'clock in the morning the crowd began to gather in order to be on hand when the time came. The scaffold was fenced in by a high board wall. Time wore on slowly until about noon; the crowd gathered until fully 2,000 men, women and children blocked the street on the south side of the court house, ^'oticeable among the number were many women with babes in their arms. Prominent among those present were many relatives of the men murdered, all eager to witness the doomed man pay the death penalty. We would add here that the relatives of the doomed man were esteemed and highly respected citizens, well known to our people, who sympathizd deeply with them in their great trouble, which, through no fault of theirs, had come upon them.

About 12:30 o'clock a thrill of excitement went through the crowd when Eli Roten appeared on the top beam of the scaffold which projected above the fence, and threw a block of wood over into the yard. This was a signal which had, seemingly, been agreed upon, whereupon about fifty men sprang over the wire fence, shoved the guards aside, and in less time than it takes to tell it, the high fence was lying flat on the ground and the gruesome gibbet stood in plain view of everybody. It was a moment of intense excitement, but Sheriff Jones stepped upon the scaffold and exacted of the crowd a solemn promise to remain outside the fence and interfere no further with the proceedings. Haunstine, accompanied by Father Haley and Sheriff Jones, mounted the scaffold. He looked for a moment over the sea of upturned faces and in a full, steady voice, without a tremor, he said:

"Ladies and Gentlemen - I desire to ask forgiveness from any one here whom I have offended. I also want you to forgive me for all the trouble and expense I have been to the county. I also ask all to take warning from me, and learn to do right before it is too late. Remember that little things grow into large things and the committing of little sins led me on to the commission of the crime which has brought me where I now stand. Again I ask all to forgive me, and hope you will not neglect to seek salvation."

Father Haley then whispered a few parting words of consolation, pressed the crucifix to the doomed man's lips and placed a cross and a string of beads around his neck, and exactly two minutes before 1 o'clock the trap was sprung. The strain of the shock was too much for the rope, which parted like a thread, letting the unfortunate man fall in a heap to the ground. The second fall broke his neck and in thirteen minutes he was pronounced dead by the physi cians in attendance. His body was taken into the sheriff's office, where it was prepared for burial by W. J. Woods, after which it was turned over to his brother, who, in the silence of the night, took the remains to his home in the southwestern part of the county, where they were quietly interred. Thus ended the tragedy which opened that bright November morning in 1888. It was an impressive, a horrible scene, and one which few who witnessed will ever care to see repeated.

In preparing the above account of the first and only legal execution that has ever taken place in Custer county twelve years after the committal of the crime, we have had access to the records, and from the attorneys engaged have sought additional information; but it is the local papers that so faithfully chronicled the events and daily happenings in the community that we are principally indebted for the details given, prominent among which we mention the Custer Leader, the Republican, Merna Record, Callaway Courier and State Journal.

"Well, Mike, since I knew you away back in the sixties you have surprised me so often I have kind of gotten used to it. Where have you been?''

"Up in the sand hills northwest of Arnold on the Dismal river wid Dan Haakell, Uncle Swain Finch, Jim Farley, C. F. Cooper, I. P. Olive and some twenty other cowbyes on a gineral round-up, and was gone exactly thirty days. And such scads of fun as the byes had. Sure an' ye wouldn't belavo were Oi to tell ye sor."

"I am not very busy this mornin ; i)erhaps you could give me a nice little description of your trip, and of course you will allow me the privilege of using my judgment when I think you are stretching the blanket a little too tight."

"Well, our first camp wor on the Dismal river, an' it's rightly named, Bor, or me name isn't Mike O'Rafferty. It wor near the North & Cody ranch

(an' while we are spakin' about it, that Bill Cody is a foine lad.) We had jnat got nicely fixed in the camp when who should come drivin' in but Bill wid a big load of provisions on his mess wagon, wid a barrel of whisky on top, wid a faucet in the side and a tin cup fastened wid a chain. Bill's driver had no more than sthopped till Bill climbed on the sate and shouted : 'Byes, yer humble servant is goin' to furnish free whisky for this here outfit.' Just think o' the loikes o' that, will ye? Did ye iver see annything to bate it?"

"Never did; but what effect did this seem to have on the boys? I suppose they were slow to take advantage of Bill's generosity? They probably insisted on paying him for his whisky, did they not?"

"Sure, an' ye needn't be supposin' annything of the koind, for divil the bit did they sthop to ax anny questions. They sthopped just long enough to take in the manin' o' phwat Bill said. Thin such a yell as them cowbyes let out o' thim would have done credit to Crow Dog's band. One cowbye shouted: 'Three cheers for Buffalo Bill!' and ivery hat in the camp wint up in the air, amid dafenin' ap - ap - noise, an' be the toime the second hooray was given ivery son-of-a-gun had sthampaded for that wagon, hollerin' and tumblin' one over the other loike so manny Texas steers."

"Av coorse not. There was a few of us ould fellows as knew too much for that, an' only took just enough o' the crayther to kape us from takin' could in our jints from shlapin' on the ground. But Oi honestly belave some o' the young bucks would have taken too much if it hadn't been positively fomist the rules of the round-up. Well, sor, we sthaid here about a week, while the cowbyes rode in ivery direction and brought in big bunches of cattle which had to be separated, aich outfit takin' care of its own stock, till we was ready to go to the nixt campin* place. Such oodles of fun as we had, playin' poker at noight and horse racin' whin in the camp in the day time. Here is where yer humble servant and Ould High Knocker shined. Although the ould fellow is gettin' away up in the years, for two hundred yards he still houlds the bilt. Thin we moved to the head wathers of the Middle Loup, where the byes agin scather, an' goin' in a northwesterly direction a long ways make a great discovery, and the cattle men are wild wid joy. They found large, beautiful lakes of wather, and manny foine cattle two and three years old, widout anny brands on thim, as wild as deer and elk, which were to be seen in big droves. This explained the loss to several big outfits the last two or three years. Their cows had sthrayed off up in this lake country, and the ranch men, 8upx>08in' this country was a dry desert, had not explored it before. Here, sor, is the place to go if ye want to know what brandin' mavericks manes. The way the brands were bnmed into the skins o' these IK)or bastes you wouldn't belave unless ye saw it. Thin we stharted to drive OUT cattle back south, aich man droppin' out wid his bunch as he came to his own range, wid what mavericks he had been able to secure. As we came along down we picked up several white-faced cattle widout calves. Some one remarked that this was a kind of strange. By and by we sees a shmoke risin' over a shmall rise in the prairie and concluded to go over and see phwat koind of a layout we had found. The first thing we seen wor a shmall log house about 14 by 16, and a shmall stable made of logs and covered wid hay, and a corral wid fifteen fine, sleek calves wid white faces. As only one ould cow on a lariat rope could be seen, it looked rather suspicious, colonel."

"Well, sor we saw some barefooted youngsters papin' out beyant the corner of the house. Some o' the byes let a big hello out o' them, which brought a tall, lank-lookin' ould granger to the door."

" 'They all belong to that there ould brindle cow, sor. She's raised every wan of them, and 1 reckon ye'll not find a likelier lot o' calves in a long way.'

"Well, sor, we all knew he wor lyin,' but afther talkin' together we seen we couldn't prove it. Some o' the byes just axed him for fun phwat his politics wor. The ould haythen said he was a middle-of-the-road Pop, and belaved in sixteen to one, but as it was an off year the ould cow didn't quite make it. But he hoped by another year the crap would be better, the ould blackguard. Well, we hadn't seen all the fun yet. On crossin' a divide a shmall bunch of cattle (which had been missed by the bves as we went north) came ninnin* out of a dhraw close by. Cautiously approaching the edge, phwat do yoH suppose we saw, colonel?"

"0, nothin' at all, excep' to trate him to the worst batin' wid the end of 1 rawhide rope ye iver saw a man get, and when we left his own mother wouldn't have known him, an' I reckon he will not want to thry stalin' cattle again for some toime. When we got to Uncle Swain's, last night, Aunt Sarah had been havin' the devil's own toime. She had been sthayin' at home, wid her d(^ and cat, lookia' afther the sthock. One noight she had retired aa usnal, whin all at once she hears a scbrapin' and pawin' noise among her milk pans in the cellar. She listens intintly for some toime and nothin' stbire.

Thin the pawin' and schrapin' begins again. Now, Aunt Sarah is a good housewife and prides herself on kapin' a respectable house, and doesn't propose to have anny midnight thafe a prowlin' among her little sthore of provisions, milk, butther and lard. So shlippin' out o' bed aisv, she lights a tallow candle (the only koind o' light she had) an' sthoops down to raise the thrap door of the cellar, whilst the bangin' an' clattherin' still continues, wid Aunt Sarah gettin' madder and madder ivery minute. She sthops all of a sudden loike, and remimbers she has nothin' to kill the thafe wid whin she finds him. So settin' down her loight she tip toes out, gets the ax an' the pitchfork and lays them down widin rachin' distance, and then procades -

"Aisy there, now. colonel; that's just phwat I'm gettin' at. Ye see, sor, the cellar wor a hole in the ground about eight fate square, dug sthraight down about six fate undher the cinter of the house. Ye had to descind, not on stair stips, wan below the other, till ye gintly hit the bottom, but ye had to sit down on a flure, swing yer feet into the hole, climb down onto a box, thin jump to the ground. So ye st^, sor, the difficulty of gettin' into that cellar."

''1 see, Mike; but I am glad we both have plenty of time, or I am afraid we would have to wait until to-morrow to find out what was making it so lively among Aunt Sarah's milk pans.''

"Well, sor, that is phwat Aunt Sarah wor doin', gettin' madder ivery minute. She took hould of the ring and gave it a quick yank, held the thrap dhure in wan hand and the loight in the other. Parin' down into the darkness - phwat did she see? At first glance she only saw the darkness. Thin, as her eyes became accustomed to the surroundins he saw two shmall points like balls of fire movin' around in the cellar. Cautiously lowerin' her candle she wor no longer in doubt as to the identity of the thafe who was walkin' proudly to and fro. Phwat a beautiful crayther, to be sure; black, wid two white sthripes on his back, with a big bushy tail that he carried wid a gallantry that would have put to shame manny a more useful animal."

"Well, sor, I suppose ye are wondherin' how Aunt Sarah is goin' to get that shkunk out o' the cellar widout ruinin' her milk an' butther an' everything else in it?"

biggin', and fastens his little beady eyes on the loight as Aunt Sarah apiproaches him an inch at a toime, muttherin': ^Ye little divil, Oim thinkin'

**I do not know," retorts the colonel, excitedly, "unless he turned and ran." "Divil the bit did he do annything of the koind. Aunt Sarah dipped the candle forwards and burned his nose. Thin the circus comminces. He sphrings backwards, ivery hair on his mane little carcass sthandin' toward his head. He sthands on his hind legs and scratches his burned nose wid his paws. Aunt Sarah chuckles maliciously, as she again approaches wid the candle extinded in front of her. She hisses through her clenched teeth : 'Ye'U foind me roight here to sthay, Mr. Polecat, if ye don't climb that boord.' She warms up to her work and again burns his nose, when he again goes through the schratchin' process and retreats around the cellar. Another hour passes. Sthill Aunt Sarah follows her victim, bumin' his nose whiniver the opportunity offers, determined to drive him from the camp. Sometoimes he would walk up the board nearly to the top, thin jump off, the rascal, but

Probably the first settler to locate in the South Loup valley between the present towns of Callaway and Arnold was Frederick Schreyer, who came in June, 1875, with a large family, and located a claim where he still resides about four miles above Callaway. Mr. Schreyer soon found himself in trouble with the cowboys, who attempted to drive him away. He was a shining mark for practical jokes at the hands of the cowboys, and accepted everything they did to torment him in dead earnest. When they attempted to stampede a herd of cattle over the roof of his dugout, or destroyed his watermelon patch, and such other innocent diversions, Mr. Schreyer positively refused to see the point of the joke.

The next settler to arrive in the valley was David E. Sprouse, who located two miles northwest of the present town of Callaway. In October of the same yeni- t-aaie Ira Graves aod George T. Ricker, in search of land, the former filing on a homestead and timber claim adjoining the future town, and the latter locating a mile noi-th of the Sprouse claim. Charles C. Kingsbur; and Mark Schneringer came about the same time. In ISSO came N. M, Morgan, X. M. Deems. 11. 1!. Schneringer, Noah Welch. Norman Brendle, Gabriel Pavton. Ira McConmlJ. the Wliijipjes. and jxThaps others.

A postoffice was established in .\iigust. 18S0. which was given the enphonious name of with Ira Graves an postmaster. On petition of Ir» Graves and Clara P. <lraves the name of the office was changed to Delight in September of the siinie year. Mark Deems was installed as mail carrier, his route being from Custer to Arnold, and from Olax (now Oconto) to Delight, all of these offices beiug supplied from Plum Creek.

School district No. 3 was soon organized, comprising all the territory In the southwestern part of the county. The first school house was built of sod and was located at the foot of the hill a mile west of the present town of Callaway. The first election was held at the Goodyear sheep ranch, near the old Finch-Hallon ranch, a short distance above Triumph. The first wedding in the community was that of Miss Lydia M. Graves to Mr. George A. Steele, May 25. 18S1, aud the first death that of Bennie, adopted son of Hr. and Mrs. (Jraves. March 17. 1881.

The county was organized into townships in 1883, and the territory embracing the entire southwestern part of the county was named Delight town- ship by N. M. Moi^an, the first supervisor. Out of the original township the towns of Grant, Elim and Wayne have since been formed, leaving the towDsbip of Delight with seventy-eight square miles. At the time of the settlement here there was no other settlement hetween the Platte valley and Victoria creek. During the few years that followed newcomers arrived almoet weekly until there was quite a community. In 1885 Mr. Graves induced John

Moran, a merchant at Olax, to build a store on his farm, which stood on the northeast corner of the property now owned by John Frederick. The question SB to who is entitled to the credit of founding the town of Callaway has been often disputed, and will perhaps nt'ver be fully determined to the satisfaction of all, but from what we can learn, J. Woods Smith is fully entitled to whatever honor the distinction confers, as it was in his brain that the scheme originated which materialized in the laying out of the town a few months later. As Mr. Smith tells it, Callaway was first conceived in the lobby of the Paxton hotel at Omaha, in the fall of 1885. While reading the morning paper, he chanced to come across an item stating that the Omaha & Republican Valley raitrOad was going to survey a line up the South Loup river the next «pring, to intersect with another road which was to be surveyed op Wood River valley from Kearney, Mr. Smith went to a map which was hanging on the wall, and at once made up his mind that the point where these two roads came together would be an ideal place for a town. With his usual decision, Mr. Smith had a town laid out and thickly populated - in his mind - witbin five minutCK. He imiuediatelv commuoicated the scheme to Hod. a. B. Chard, a personul friend, and the two started for Custer county to look over the situation. They found the location even more promisJig than tbey bad anticipated, and made partial arrangements for the purchase of the Graves farm for a townsite. intending to return early in the spring to complete the deal. When spring came Mr. Chard had other busiDess to attend and Mr. Smith prdttfdid alune. L'ikiii his return lo Delight he was unable to close tile deal with Mr. Graves, aud he siicct^ded in making an arrangement whereby I lie claims nf Albeit and il. H. Deems, comprising the east half of section 11. towuiship ITi. range --t, were secured for a townsite. the Deema' taking shares in the syndi<-ate in payment for their land. Mr, Smith also pnrchased of C. \V. Gray Ihe northwest quarter of section 11 on his own account, which is the land upon which the Railroad addition to Callawa.v was afterwards platted. E. It. Needham. a capitalist from St. Paul, Nebraska, also took an interest in the lownsite company, and the work of platting was commenced at once. The town was named in honor of S. B. Callaway, then f;eneral manager of the I'nion Pacific railroad, and the streets wei^ named after the general officers of that road and the members of the townsite company. The first to erect a building in the new town was Dr. L. Michael, whose photograph and a picture of the building accompany this sketch. The second building was erected by Harry E. O'Neill for his brokerage business, whioh heretofore had been conducted on his claim half a. mile weiart of town. The next building was a store by Albet t peem«. Then John- Moran moved his general store down from the corner of Mr. Graves' farm, Baker & Yates put up a store and put in a stock of groceries, Smith Bros, put np the opera building and put in a stock of hardware. These were followed in quick succession by W. B. Maze, hardware; Smith & Needham, lumber and coal; Maze & Burbank, flour and feed; Rogers & Johnson, the Bank of Callaway; Theron E. Webb, drug store; C. W. Root, drug store, moved from Arnold; Holway & Schneringer, livery; L. Palmer, feed stable; Lewis & Holman, meat market; M. L. Savage, furniture store; Clark & Owens, real estate, loans and insurance; B. L. Brisbane, real estate; C. C. Hayes, James Suhr, blacksmiths; Alex. Mallert, G. A. James, restaurants; P. Wymore, John Calligan, McDonald & King, Tidey & Smea, carpenters; F. A. Clarke & Co., general store, moved from Arnold; M. H. Deems, Hotel Excelsior, operated by A. L. Mathews; J. C. Naylor, lawyer; George H. Latieur, barber shop. On August 19th the first issue of the Callaway Standard appeared, which was published and edited by Charles A. Sherwood, a first-class printer imported by the townsite syndicate. On Sunday, August 8th, a small hurricane swept down the valley and partially wrecked most of the buildings that were in the course of construction, among them being the opera house, Dean's hotel, the Baker & Yates building, but the damages were soon repaired and work progressed rapidly. The new town boomed all summer. J. Woods Smith, its founder and promoter, was well known all over the state. He also had the knack of getting himself interviewed in the Omaha papers every time he visited that city, and the result was, Callaway was soon the best advertised town in Nebraska. While to the ordinary individual Callaway appeared destined to become a prosperous little village, in the Utopian vision of J. Woods Smith nothing less than the state capital awaited it.

During the summer of 1886 the Omaha Bee said: "Callaway is six weeks old, with fifty houses, a hotel, 78 by 56 feet, an opera house, 48 by 60 feet, and a population of 200 inhabitants. Its representation in business houses is excellent, though at present in need of a watchmaker and jeweler and a harness man. A first class outfit for a new paper to be called the 'Callaway Standard,' together with an editor, have already been shipped, and the first sheet of the new journal will appear next week. It will be followed by the issue of a rival pape^ one week later. The crops in the vicinity are said to be the finest in the state, and Mr. Smith says that he has never seen finer corn than they are now cutting down on the site upon which the town is built."

The survey of the road was completed that summer and the grading done. TThe grade is still there, from Pleasanton to Callaway, but no iron has ever l>een laid on it. The Wood river line was graded soon after, but it was not ^tantll four years after, that the road was finished from Kearney to Callaway. rrhte scheme materialized in the formation of the New Callaway Townsite and Tmprovement Company, with C. W. H. Luebbert, president; N. M. Morgan, "Vice president; Harry E. O'Neill, secretary, Ira Graves, treasurer; John Reese, solicitor. The land was purchased of Ira Graves, the site of New Callaway X>l£itted, and inducements offered to old town business men to move up, as it ^was expected that the New Callaway promoters had influence enough to se- ^xire the depot. The inducements, however, did not draw any of the old town j>eople away, except Harry O'Neill. Upon the organization of Callaway the postoflBce had been moved from Mr. Graves' farm to town, and the name changed from Delight to Callaway. Harry O'Neill was postmaster when he 3noved up to the new town, but he had to leave the postoflfice behind. The old town citizens patrolled the streets at night with shotguns to prevent the office irom being stolen. A newspaper plant was purchased by the New Callaway Syndicate, and on June 29th, 1887, the New Callaway Courier was born in a frame building which was then located near the present residence of John Frederick, with W. C. McMiller as editor. Then commenced one of the biggest townsite fights in the history of central Nebraska. The new town was derisively christened "Podimk" by the old town people, and the New Callawayites were termed "Mudhens.'' The failure of the Wood river line to be built that fall put somewhat of a damper on the New Callaway project. The few residents of the town who had been induced to locate with the understanding ihat it was to have the railroad depot at once, became discouraged and moved away. In October, 1887, when the writer first arrived on the scene from Chicago to assume charge of the New Callaway Courier, he found the two rival towns lying on their arms awaiting developments. Every business enterprise in New Callaway had gone away except the Courier, but it was doing a flourishing business. It was published in the frame building now occupied as a photograph gallery by Isaac Bryner. It was then located on the corner of Pearl street and Third avenue. New Callaway. On the corner diagonally across the street was a gopher hole, and the two other corners were occupied by a bullfrog and another gopher. The Courier had a big circulation, and was well filled with advertisements froin merchants of Broken Bow, Cozad, Plum Creek and Arnold; but it had none from Callaway, as that would have been considered high treason by the old town people, and would have been sulBcient reason for a boycott against the offender. The Courier, how- ever, did a flourishing business, and became famouB all over this part of the state as the paper that was publisbed in the town ttiat had no other businesa. During the winter of 1887 the weather was very cold, and as coal had to be hauled from Cozad, there was sometimes a dearth of fuel. The oCBee building was made of boards that were mostly knot holes, and nnplastered. (.-onsequently not over warm, and the paper was not unfreqaently "run off" when the temperature on the outside was below zero, and not much higher in«ide. It was frequently the duty of the editor to sally forth after dark into some handy cornfield with a two buehcl sack to rustle enough fuel for the next day. One day a man whosp field had been visited pretty often came into the office and wanted to know how much it would cost to have a notice put in the paper. He said somebody was stealing liis corn and he thought a piece in the paper would scare them off. We made a deal to publish a warning against -the offender for a dollar and a half, and no more corn was stolen from that Add during the remainder of the winter. This shows the power of advertising.

During 1888 M. L, Savage built the present postoflQce building. The Seven Valleys' Bank building was also built the same year, as was also a new store by P. A. Clark & Co. The Seven Valleys Bank had been established the - year previous by J. Woods Smith and others. The Union Bank was establisbed in 1888 by J. Woods Smith, J. E. Decker and J. H. Decker. The spring of 1889 came, and still no railroad. The town was at a standstill. The New OaUaway project was practically dead and the New Callawy Courier moved to the old town mid betiinu- I lie c'jillawiiv fdiuicr. iii'or;;c i;. Muir. tbe editor and publisher, was appoiiited pusiniiintfr, ]iiii(-hiisi'd tliv pi^stoflice building and added another room which has since been used as a jfrinting office. B. E. lirega came to tlie town during this year and established himself in the law business. Railroad rumors were i-ife and the Kearney & Ulaek Hills Bailroad Company wae organized.

The majtnifteeni water power afforded by the South Loup river had commended itself to the business men of Callaway, and many meetings were held to talk np the project of erecting a flouring mill, to be operated by water power. These meetings resulted in the formation of the Callaway

Uilling and MaDufacturiDg Compan;, wbich was compoeed of most of the buBineaB men. Work was commenced on the dam across the Loap river in the fall of 1889, and the wheels of an up-to-date, modern roller mill began to move in the spring of ]8i)0. A proposition to vote f8,600 bonds for the purpose of assisting the Kearn<-y & Black Elills railroad to build from Kearney to Callaway was submitted to the township and carried almost unanimously. Work on the old right of wuy commenced at once, and on the 7th day of

October, 18!KI, the first reguliir passenger Iniin pulled into Callaway, The depot was located neither in the old town nor the new, but half way between, on the farm of J. Woods Smith, which was purchased by the Callaway Improvement Company on which to lay out a new town of Callaway, now known as the Railroad addition. Engineers of the railroad company laid ont the town on a grand scale, large enough for a city of the first-class, and some very good buildings were put up, among them being the Grand Pacific hotel at a coBt of over |10,000, A number of business enterprises located in the new town, and liberal inducements were held out to the old town to move up in a body. It was snpposed that the location of the depot would cause everything to rush to the Railroad addition at once, but such was not the case. Many of the old town people were interested in old town real estate, and if the town moved to the new addition it would become practically wortblew. It was evident to a disinterested onlooker that the Railroad addition was boiiod to win in the end, but the tM town people made a bitter fight. J. \^'^od8 Smith, being interested in the new town, moved his op^n honse building over and also eetabliebed a Btore there in what was known as the Improvement building. Vangreen Bros, moved up to the new town. A new drag store was established with Dr. F. J. Greer as manager, Dierka Bros. and the Gilcrest Lumbt'r Company put in yards, a brickyard was established, and a large two-story building known as the Grand Army building was erected tor store and Indjit- pnrposen. The many newcomers who were attracted to the locality by the advi'nt of the railroad were not. of course, interested in the townsite light, and mostly located in the new town. Being satisfied that there was but one way fur the contest to end, and wishing to bring it to a close as soon as possible, the postoflice was moved to the new town at midnight by G. B. Mair without previous notice. The following morning, when the people of the old town found out what had happened their wrath knew no bounds and all sorts of threats were indulged in. The Courier wa* moved to the new town at the same time. So incensed were they, that the people of the old town refused to mail their letters at the postoffice, but sent them to the neighboring offices to be mailed. At the arrival of every mail they sent a messenger up to the postoffice with a sack, who collected all the mail for the old town business men and carried it down to the Bank of Callawy, where it was redistributed. In the meantime they were procuring sig natures to a petition and protest which was forwarded to the Postofflce Department, which brought a ]>oBtof!ice inspector to investigate. The inspector coDCladed that the postmaster had acted without due authority in moving th* office, and his resignation was asked for. This the postmaster declined to do, and he was removed and a temporary postniawter appointed hy the inspector, pending the final deciition of the postmaster general. In a few mooth« the department reinstated the postmaster, but the locution of the office was fixed in the old town, whither it liad been taken by the insi>e(:tor at the time of hia visit. Boon after this the entire old town capitulated and moved up to the new town, followed by the postofBce some months later. The year 1891 was a season of big crops and the new town enjoyed quite a boom. Money was plenty and the business men had a fine trade. Many new buildings were erected, among them being two large gi'ain elevators. The town was full of traveling men and strangers, and the townsite syndicate had succeeded in interesting a number of eastern capitalists in the town. Arrangements had been made for a big excursion at some future Sate, but in the meantime poor crops and partial failures followed, culminating in the drought period of 1894-5, which drove away half the population of the state, and in which Callaway dwindled down from a bustling town of 600 people to a dead village of a little over 200, The people became almost panic stricken, and a cry went out for help that was responded to from ocean to ocean with a generosity that has never been equaled. Grain, food and goods of all kinds came into the county by the carloads from almost every state in the Union, and serious suffering was prevented. The railroads, which had been said to have no souls, disproved the asseriJon at this time, and they gladly offered free transport:ation for solicitors and supplies during all that trying period. Since then this locality has enjoyed fair crops. On the night of March 15, 1901, the principal business block was completely destroyed, entailing a loss of about $50,000. This has resulted in the passage of a fire limits ordinance by the village board, and preparations are already being made to rebuild the burned district with fine modem brick buildings.

And 8Hobt Bkbtchbs Of Barlt Dav9 In Nebraska

Anslp; U an enterpriaing village of 500 inhabitants on the Grand Island & Wyoming Central railroad, cosily npatled between rough chiseled hills, in the most beautifnl and fertile valley in the soiillieaalfrn portion of Cuater county. The first settlement in the villnge was made in llie summer of IHSfi, and it has 'Steadily grown* in spite of adveraities. until it now stands as a monument to the personal worth and energy of its cilis'.ens. As a result of their enterprise the city can boast of having electric liglils, water works, the largest and most commodious public hall in Cnster county, three handsome charcbes and a fine school house.

The religious denominations are represented by the Methodists, Christians Hnd Presbyterians, each of which owns neat and commodious buildings free from iiu-iinihriiDce. Tbc early hiwlory of tho 51. F.. t'lmnrli in Ansley is m very well known. The Ansl(fy clmioli is the oiitRrowtli of what was once tl Algernon circuit. As nearly as can be foand out, the change was made son time dining the pastorate of Itt'v. D. M. Ellswortli, jiud Aiisley bei-auie the head of the charge, including Berwjn and Mason City. At that time there were but few Methodists in the community. Some time during the year 1890 ihe citizens of Ansley formulated the plan of erecting a Methodist church. The outcome of that plan is our beautiful church edifice, 30 by 50 feet in size, heated by furnace and lighted by electricity. Rev. Ellsworth was superceded by Rev. Francis Brock, who served as pastor for two years, when the conference stationed B, T. Peck at Ansley. Kev. Peck remained something over a year, when, at the following session of the annual conference. Rev. L, W.

Chandler was sent to the Analey work. Rev. Chandler was a most saccesstul man in many ways, building up the church in ways that it had not before been built up. Under his supervision the Epworth and Junior leag^ues were organized and did efficient work. While the membership was not large, it was active. Rev. Alfred (Jilson followed Rev. Chandler. Rev. Uilson was followed by W. H. Forsyth. The present pastor i.i Rev. M. H. Foutch.

The Christian ehiiM-h was founded in IS'.ill. iimiini'iiciii^ wiih the small membership of sixteen. In If^Hi llie ehurt-h was built jiiid di-dii-ated the latter part of August. Tlie seating <apa('ily is WTit). and Ihe cost of the structure was $3,0U0. The first pastor was Rev. Hedges, lie was suicwded by Rev. Fred Hagln. Rev. Shermau Hill followed Rev, Hagin. He was superceded by Rev. Walker and Rev. George Bailey. The present pastor is Jesse R. Teagarden.

The Presbyterian ehurch was the first churili erected in .Vnsley. It waB bnilt in the spring of 18i^7 and dedicated in July of the same year, Rev. Sexton of Seward oflBciatiug. The first pastor was Hev. Doremus. Being the only church it was used by all denominations until each was able to erect a church edifice of its own. Several ministers, whose names I have been unable to learn, tended and cared for the flock until 181>3, when Rev. Mitchelmore became pastor. He was the minister until the spring of 1894, when the church, on account of the drought, could not support a pastor. The church stood vacant until two or three years ago, when the few scattered memben nUlied and reorganiKed, and ever «ince tbey have had a pastor in the person of Bev. Paul Kaylor. The Baptists hold their services in thia church, but are formnlatiag plans to build one of their own.

I would certainly feel that I had not done justice to Ansley were I to omit giving a brief description of the Modern Woodmen hall. It is a handsome structure, 36 by 84 feet on the ground. The lower atorj is conveniently arranged with dining room and kitchen, and a large room for general purposefl, The second story is the opera houHe, with porch and vestibule, two reception rooms and a large audience room with seating capacity of 400, Over the reception rooms is a gallery with a seating capacity of over 150. The stage seenery is snperb, the work being done by a first-class artist at a considerable cost. It is lighted with acetyline gas. -r- Onr school house ia a two-story frame structure, conspicuously located "on an elevation east of the village. It was one of the first public buildings erected in the village. It hae accommodation for over 200 pupils, and has four teachers who are kept constantly employed. The course of study requires

The business Louses and nioNt of the private residences are lighted by electricity furnished by the Ansley Electric Light and Power Company. A largt flonring mill is in operation adjoining the limits of the village supplying the necessary flour for its inhabitants and also providing a marliet for the grain.

Previous to the year 188C there was nothing to mark the spot where Ansley is now located. The land was purchased from a ranchman by the name of Anthony Wilkinson by the Lincoln Land Company and platted fur a town. The town was named Ansley in honor of a iady by that name who invested considerable money in reid estate, such as tots, in the newiy laid out town. Therefore, as before stated, the first settlement was made in the year 1886. The first frame building erected was occupied by a lawyer by the name of Geoi^e Snell. Tliat building is still a portion of the business part of town and is now occupied by a physician. The school building that appeared on the bleak, uncultivated prairie was moved from Westenille. seven miles distant, by Edgar Varney, who still owns the building. It has been remodeled and is -at the present time used as a billiard hall. The next building was a hotel kDOwn as tbe Vansant house, Init is now the Cottage hotel. The building nowoccupied by Mrs. K. J. Tierney as a drug store, then owned by Samuel Royde. was next erected, followed by both banks, the stores of E. H. Burrows and A. H, Shepard and the Jones hotel. Other buildings followed in quick succession. The residences built in the year ISSti were those of J. W. Cometock and Mrs. Abbey, and a few others. The residences of E. H. Gaines and Dan Hagan were built in 18S7, and the handsome residence of C. J, Stevens in 1888. Many other residences followed rapidly. Among the ttrst settlers who are atill residents are A. H. Turpen, O. P. Allphin, Mrs. H. Stevenson, C. J. Stevens, E. H. Burrows, D. A. \'an8ant, Mrs. B. J. Tierney, Edgar Varney, Thomas Blowers, A, 11. Shepard, C. M. Dorr, James Davis, Mrs. F. E. Goeeelin, A. L. Butler and E. A. Butler. The above are the only original settlers, as given to us, who now reside in the city, E, H. Burrows, one of the first settlers in this village, and now one of our leading business men, relates his experiences in the following paragraphs:

"I first struck the town in tlie middle of May, 1886. At that time thMe was a tent and a wagon load of lumber to mark the spot where the future metropolis of the southeastern part of Custer county was to be. I selected my lot for a building site at that time and went back east for a while to await developmeDts, returniug about the 7tli of July. On my return I found more tents, more lumber on the gi'ound, and a few shanties tu course of erection. We were compelled to haul our lumber for building piirpoees, by wagon, from Kearney, over sixty miles, which brought the price of six-dollara-thousand knot holes up to the price of 'B' select. While staying at Ansley this time I boarded at the West End hotel, a fine structure built of 'B' select knot boles, size 12 by 14 feet, one story, one room, which answered for kitchen, dining room, ofBce, parlor, bath room and bed room. Everybody was good-natured and the landlord expected his guests to 'double up' every night with whoever he saw lit to assign with ua, and at the first peep o' day the clerk would come and shake us, saying: 'Time to roll off them tables; the girls want to set the tables for breakfast," with which i-equest we cheerfully complied, pulling on our shoes as quickly as possible, went out doors and leaned against the knot holes until the bell rang for breakfast. We sat op to the table and the waiter called out from the kitchen: 'Tea or cofifee.

iii^^.; '^iwhich, yoii fflleis on tlit- norlli end?' ami of com-se ive said coffee, because il hiid inoi'o bodv lliiin the tea. nliich prevented us from seeing what was tloating about between the bottom and top of the cop. The waiter brought in a plate of hot biscuitB and auothet with otrgB and bacon, set them on the table and said: 'Xow, boya, help Yourselves.' We waited for some time, wondering if we were expected to use our hands for plates and our fingers for knives and forks. We finally asked the waiter if that was the intention. He replied: "Come olf the dump! Shoo! Shool School There is your tableware.' And sure enough there it was:. We had failed to remove the cover of fat, saucj* flies that had taken possession of our plates as if they had exl»ected to be wailed upon first. f*uch was my first experience living in Ansley. When I arrived the third time, what a change a short period of four or five weeks had made. From a brown prairie to a busy village. 1 found about twenty buildings in different stages of erection, my own among tliem, which was partly inclosed. I scraped a lot of shayings together, spread dowu my blankets and slept under my own vine and fig tree. But, alas! not alone. After I fell asleep I dreamed that I was a boy again and went down to the creek to take a swim, and just as I was ready to take a plunge into the water I fell backwards into a bunch of nettles. I awoke, and as soon as I got myself located I realized it was not nettles, but fleas."

The business interests of Ansley are represented by four general stores, conducted by E. H. Burrows, C. J. Stevens, A. H. Shepard and A. W. Hawk; three hardware and implement stores, by E. H. Gaines, J. H. Kerr and Butler & Hiser; one bank, C. J. Stevens presiden, T. C. Gibson cashier; three drug stores, C. R. Hare, Mrs. B. J. Tierney, O. P. Allpine; three milliners, Mrs. E. H. Burrows, Miss Anna Simpson, Mrs. C. B. Quinu; two hotels, Tony Hildebrand, W, Lewis; two butchers, John Davis, Norton Amsberry; one newspaper, the Chronicle, Tom Wright, editor and proprietor; one furniture store and undertaking establishment, Mrs. F. E. Gosselin; one lawyer, Judson C. Porter; two lumber yards, Dierks Bros., Faster & Smith; one restaurant, A. L. Butler; one barber shop, A. H. Turpen; one jeweler and optician, Roy Thompson; two blacksmith shops, C. M. Horr, Matt Harris; two physicians, W. R. Young, E. A. Hanna; two grain elevators, Tierney & Wirt, Central Granary Company; one creamery, owned by a stock company; one general repair shop, F. W. Garlin; two pump and windmill establishments, O. H. Conrad, Hiram Curtis; one harness shop, J. W. Comstock; one news depot, Miss Janet Stevenson; three livery and feed stables, Alex Moore, Joel I^num, Quinn & Cox; one stock buyer, B. J. Tierney; two carpenters, A. P. Hoover, O. B. Jenkins; one carriage and wagon shop, William Burdett; one flouring mill, C. J. Steven-s proprietor; postmaster, T. T. Varney.

Sargent is a bustling village of over 300 inhabitants, situated in the northeastern part of Custer coimty in the midst of a flne agricultural and stock raising district. It is located on the north side of the Middle Loup river, about one mile from that stream. Sargent is one of the oldest towns in the county, having been laid out in 1883. The first bank in the county was located here. Tiie first building erected was the general store of J. K. Spacht, in th<* summer of 188^^, and the location was the middle of a field of wheat. The town grew quite rapidly and was particularly lively in the summer of 1888, when the B. & M. railroad grade was built, and it was expected that the cars would be running into the town that fall. Owing to a big strike on the syetem the road wa« not completed at that time. The drought years of the early '90's caused the town to dwindle down to a mere shadow of its former self. In the fall of 1899, however, the track was laid from Arcadia to Sargent, making the latter the terminus, and since that time the town has had a very substantial growth. The Independent Telephone Company of Broken Bow extended its line to Sargent in the fall of 1900. The same fall a flue, two-story frame school building was erected, which now houses one of the best schools in the county under the charge of three teachers. Sargent has two churches, the Congregational and the Methodist. It has several floe business blocks, two newspapers, two banks, two grain elevators, a creamery, with other lines of business well represented. Following is a complete buBiness directory of the town at this time, March 8, 1901:

Armstrong, D. E., windmill's, pumps and repairs; Austin, J. S., Racket store, general merchandise; Barstow & Perrin, hardware, paints and harvesting goods; Bridgford, Ben, druggist, R. W. Hicks manager. Mr, B. is an old pioneer and came to Mason City in 1886 with a drug store, which he run seven years, and now is located at Ord, Nebraska; Brown, M. F., contractor and builder; Brumbaugh, G. W., Commercial hotel and livery; Brown, E. B., Windsor hotel; Beers, Robert, contractor and builder; Currie Grain Company, grain and coal; Custer County Bank, James Haggerty president, Charles C. Gardner cashier; does a general banking business; Charles C. Oai^ner al'SO postmaster and local agent for telephone line; Cropper, W, T., farm machinery; creamery, Beatrice Creamery Company proprietor; CoDhUer & Haggerty. general merchandise and groceries; Davis & Co., furniture, carpets and undertaking goods; Dierks Luniher and Coal Company, lumber, coal and building material, Frank PhUlips manager; Fenstermacher, C. H., physician and

Bu^eon; Freeman, Charles, liquors and cigars; Farmers' and Merchants' Bank, A. P. Cully president, Charles Nlcolai cashier, does a general banking business; Graham, J. H,, dentist; Geiser & Swaneon, farm implements and hardware; Groff, Mrs. U., restaurant; Hendricksou, Charles, billiard hall; Harris, C. L., contractor and builder; Jaques & Barstown, grain and coal; Leader, newspaper, A. H. Barks editor and proprietor; Leininger, P. H., live stock; Little & Co., Farmers' Meat Market; McGregor Bros., blacksmiths; Morris, Miss Gertrude, dressmaker; Mitchell, R, J., groceries, successor to B, W. Sillivan; Nelson, W. H., painter and paper hanger; Olson T., restaurant; Perrin hotel, S. L. Perrin proprietor; Parks, C. W., live stock, successor to Parks & Cram; Pizer, J. B., New York store; Savage, E. P., real estate and insurance, agent Lincoln Land Company; 8avage Bros., Star Livery Bam; Saunders, Walter, shoe and harness shop, general merchandise; Spacht & Lakemau, groceries and general merchandise; Saville, F. N., City Barber Shop; Scriber, L. A., liquors and cigars; Semler, J. D., City Meat Market; Shaw, D. M., brick mason and plasterer; The New Era newspaper and job office, J. C. L. Wisely editor and proprietor; Toliver, John, auctioneer and sales- man, restaurant and bakery; TnbiaR, A. A., it-weler and optician; Troxell & Johnson, liardware; Waynick. I. W., druggist, physician aud siirKcou; Werber, Rudolph, harness shop; It. H. Monroe, aneut for the B. & M. railroad and Adams Express Company; Rev. Lesle, pastor of the M. E. Church; Rev. Jones, pastor of the Congr^ational church: Professor H. H. Hiatt, principal of the Sargent schools, his assistants being Miss Mamie <;oopei- and Miss Nightengale.

F. M. Morris. I. \\'. Morion and U. \V. Fiiliou were the first permanent settlers in Sargent piecinct. north of the preseni viUagv of Sargent, althongh the claims aflerwjirds taken by Morris and Norton had been entered some eighteen months before by pnrtit-H of a suspicious charaeter who had buUt a dugout on the Norton claim, digging into a ridge which comes out of the hbilTs facing south on tlie Middle l^oup valley, and so cunningly concealed by roofing it with sod, graas side up, thai one coiild hardly recognize it as a habitation. Fifty yards from this dugout they had two tunnels leading through the hill back to two stables F<ecreted iu n canon full of ash timber and plum bniBh, and it was supposed they belouj^ed to a band of outlaws who were engaged in the occupation of stealing horses. When the claim was contested none of the parties appeared to make any defense.

David (iroff, his wife and sons, had preceded these settlers about four years, locating in the east end of the precinct in 1874, the three men referred to above locating on July 4, 1878, 11. I'..Smilh and Mortimer Lewis located in October of the same year.

Mr. Morris had some wheat stored at the Milford mill, near Ord, thirty miles distant, in the winter of 1880. One day he started to the mill, leaving only a few pounds of flour in the house. When he reached the mill he found the dam washed out. and not being able to exchange any of his wheat for flonr, he took if to the Sweetwater mill on Heaver creek, near where Ravenna