Custer County, Nebraska - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 8 of those read), 1919 (part 1 of 2)

Churches And Sunday Schools

A Cowboy Preacher - A Storv of Early Church Work - And Now the Methodists - The Ansley Church - The Broken Bow Methodists - Gates and Walworth - Arnold Methodist Church - S'argent Methodists - Merna Methodists - Westerville Methodist Church - Methodist Church of Callaway - Baptist Pioneer Work - The Baptist Churches that Live - - The Broken Bow Church - New Baptist Church at Broken Bow - AL-^son City Church - The Merna Baptist Church - The Ansley Baptist Church Organized - The Eudells - Lomax and Lodi - Bethel Union - Highland - The Free Methodist Church - The Presbyterians - Broken Bow Presbyterians - The Ansley Presbyterian Church - Episcopalian Work in THE County - Callaway Protestant Episcopal Church - The Broken Bow Episcopal Church - The Church of God - Christian Church - Christian Churches of Arnold, Liberty, Broken Bow, Anselmo, White Pigeon, Ansley, Coburg, Mason City, Lillian, Sargent, Banner Schoolhouse, and Milburn - Custer County Catholics - Beginning of Catholic Work in Dale - The Broken Bow Catholic Church - -The Oconto Church and Mason City Church - Ansley Catholic Church - United Brethren in Christ - The United Brethren Begin at Custer Center - - Sunday Schools in Custer County - County Sunday School Association - The Reorganization Works Well ^~ State Sunday School Convention at Broken Bow - Comparison of Convention Attendance

Governor Bradley once said that at the end of every buffalo's tail was a Alethodist preacher going west. That was a fine tribute to the pioneer work of the Methodist people. It is a tribute, too, that they deserve in connection with Custer county, as subsequent history of Methodism in the county will disclose.

But on the Middle Loup at least one buffalo's tail was ornamented with a Christian preacher instead of a Methodist, and that animal seems to have led the herd, for the preacher referred to, the Rev. E. D. Eubanks, was probably the first preacher in the county and the one who preached the first sermon and performed the first marriage ceremony.

In 1875 Rev. Eubanks held services in different homes of the Douglas Grove community, and accordingly he was the first representative of his denomination, or of anv denomination, to pre-empt the field for Christian work.

Also in the same year came a Methodist preacher, by the name of Lemin, and held the first Methodist services of which any record can be found. Rev. Lemin, like Rev. Eubanks, made the homes of the people the sanctuaries of worship. It was in the home of A. A. Higgins that the first Methodist quarterly meeting was held by the pioneer divine. Rev. Lemin is, therefore, credited with beginning Methodist work some time late in the fall of 187.5.

.\s will be seen under the head of Baptist Pioneer Work, a Rev. J. P. Cook began the denominational work for the Baptists by holding services and conducting Sunday schools in the settlers' homes of Lee's Park, in 1878.

other pioneer preachers, began a series of house meetings. His denomination is not recorded by the historian who chronicles his advent in the country, but as the work he began was followed up by that of a Presbyterian minister, L. L. Burbank, who came afterward, the work of the Rev. Stevens is accredited to the Presbyterians.

This puts the denominational work of the churches in Custer county in the following order: First. Christians or Disciples; second, Methodists; third, Baptists; fourth, Presbyterians. Other denominations early on the field were the United Brethren, the Lutherans, the Catholics, the Church of God, the Free Methodists, and perhaps others were among the pioneers, but their advent did not affect the order named above.

viction that he was 'divinely called" to preach that he could find neither rest nor peace until he had consecrated himself to the ministrj-. Ordained by the Evangelical Association, he had been engaged in the work about three years when, in the fall of 1885, he preached his first sermon on Buffalo Table. It was the first religious service or meeting that some who were there had attended in two years. His efforts were well received and in due time he made fortnightly appointments, which, in connection with other points, he continued to fill for three years. As an evangelist and organizer this unlettered Bonarges had but few equals, and, measured by results, he attained a success denied to many whose entire lives had been devoted to the study of theology and rhetoric."

A Cowboy Preacher

One of the pioneer preachers who seems to have been effective and practical in his work, even if he was lacking in theological training, is described by James Whitehead as a cowboy preacher, in the following paragraph, written twenty years ago. He is not credited with any denominational affiliation :

"Although most of us had held membership in dift'erent churches in our former homes, no minister of any denomination had come among us, and no preaching services had been held in that vicinity. With the erection of a schoolhouse we were anxious to make amends for this apparent neglect and begin life aright in our new home. Mr. Crewdson, who was an Episcopalian, assured us he had a man in mind that could be secured, and soon thereafter services were announced with Rev. L. G. Brooker, 'The Cowboy Preacher,' officiating; owing to reports that had reached us relative to the man's past, great interest was attached to this first sermon. The Rev. Brooker, or 'Rrooker,' as he was commonly called, was a character as unique, and possessed a personality as striking as in their day did Lorenzo Dow or Peter Cartwright. He owned and lived upon a fann in Platte valley, twenty-two miles to the south, had been converted some four years before, and became so stronglv imbued with the con-

A Story Of Early Church Work

"Early in the spring of 1880 a preacher from Harper's Fern,', West Virginia, named Stephenson, took the claim now owned by Robert Ross and commenced preaching at New Helena, but as he tired of keeping bach.' he returned east and left the people without a minister. Learning that a Presbyterian minister of the name of Burbank, living at Georgetown, on the South Loup, could be procured to preach once a month, the people of all denominations interested sent for him. He came, organized a Presbyterian church, and preached about two years, or until the Methodists made arrangements to start a class which included this appointment, on the Westcrville circuit, with preaching every two weeks. Some yea'rs later, I have forgotten the date, a preacher of the name of Ross, living in Indiana, offered to come to Broken Bow if the church there would pay his fare to Grand Island. As Broken Bow was not able to support a preacher at that time, the class at Gates united with them and helped to pay the pas.sage of the Indiana preacher to Grand Island. He came, reorganized the class and preached in the old sod schoolhouse. near where the Gates school- liouse stands at this time. Since that time this church has always maintained an organization and Sunday school, even keeping a minister during all the years of 'the drouth. About 1888 the Christian church organized a society at the White Pigeon schoolhouse, and have maintained it ever since, as have also the Free ]\Iethodists at the Oxford schoolhouse and the Lutherans at Round Valley. In the fall of 1880 A. N. Peale taught a three months' school in district number 13, now generally known as the Oxford district. As this was the first and only school within fourteen miles, the children either went to it or went fishing. During the first years of our settlement the ranchmen and new settlers consumed everything the farmers could raise, but when farming became more general and on a larger scale, and new settlers ceased to come in so fast, the farmers commenced to raise hogs to consume their produce ; consequently when the fall of 1890 came, the country was full of hogs. Having no corn to feed them, some of the farmers sold their stock hogs to eastern feeders, some knocked them in the head, while others let them stand around and squeal. Under these conditions church work had a hard beginning."

And Now The Methodists

The ]\Iethodists now cover the county with ten circuits or stations, the headquarters of which are located in Ansley, Arnold, Anselmo, Berwyn, Broken Bow, Callaway, Mason City, Sargent, Merna, and Westerville.

The denomination owns fifteen church buildings, valued at $60,000. Two of them, the Sargent and Arnold buildings, are modern brick edifices, of the latest type, and would do splendid credit to much older communities. There are ten parsonages now in the county, all for the most part modern cottages, which as many iNIethodist preachers with their families occupy. These parsonages are valued at $20,000. The ten pastors receive good salaries and the churches have a combined membership of 1,856, with a family constituency of approximately 3,600 persons.

The Anseev Church

Prior to the founding of Ansley, Methodist itinerants rode over the hills and valleys, preaching in schoolhouses and homes. One of these men was Rev. J. C. Dorris. In September, 1886, Rev. William Esplin, who was homesteading seven miles southwest of Ansley, was appointed as the first regularly located pastor of the Methodist body of Ansley and vicinity, and preached alternately at Pleasant Valley and at this point. At firsti services were held in the new Burlington depot, but when the Presbyterian church was built, the services were held there. The church was organized July 12. 1887, and in 1890, under the pastorate of Rev. D. M. Ellsworth, the present church building was erected. The pastors who have served this church up to 1918 are as follows : William Esplin (1886-7), Francis Brock (1887-8), D. M. Ellsworth (1888-90), H. H. York (1890- 1891), B. F. Peck (1891-2), John P. Crane and D. W. Denny (1892-3), L. W. Chandler (1893-5), A. Gibson (1895-7), W. H. Forsyth (1897-1900), M. S. Foutch (1900-1901), L. W. Chandler (1901-3), Selden Ewing (1903-5), Raymond Rush (1905-8), John Carton (1908-9), W. S. McCallester (1909- 1914), R. H. Carr (1914-15), E. O. Johnson (1915-16), W. L. Hadsell (1916-18). Under the pastorate of Rev. O. E. Johnson, the church building was greatly improved, by the addition of a basement. The church now has a membership of 200, a Sunday-school enrollment of 180, an Epworth League membership of thirty, and a Woman's Foreign ]\Iissionary Society of twenty members. The officers of the church are: Trustees, J. H. Hiser, T. F. Elliott, Albert Arnold, E. O. Morris, W. O. Phillips, Andrew Sherbeck, and A. J. Hockom ; stewards, L. S. Newcomb, Mrs. George Nelms. O. D. Dran, Mrs. Clem Wilder, Mrs. A. J. Hockom, and R. M. Hayslip; Sunday-school superintendent, L. S'. Newcomb ; president of the Epworth League, Mrs. Curtis McCallister; president of the

The first Methodist class was organized in the Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy depot, July 12, 1887, by the Rev. William Esplin. Nineteen charter members formed the roll of this new class. The names of these members are as follows: ^Irs. D. A. \'ansant, C. J. Stevens. W. A. Cross, T. T. Daniels, James Davis. ^Irs. James Davis, William Hawk, Sarah Gilbert, Anna Hawk, May Hawk. J. Harson. Mrs. J. Harson. Mary McCarger, JAI. Porter, Mrs. J. yi. Porter, and C. D. Munson and family.

The Broken' Bow

Broken B o w has alwaj's been the county's stronghold of Methodism. The first Methodist church of tlie county-seat town is one of the strongest churches in the county, of any denomination. It was organized in May, 1883. In the same month of the class organization, the first sermon was preached by Rev. M. R. Pierce, in a store building. The following were the charter members of the class: W. A. Candy, A. M. Graham, Howard Graham, L. McCandless, J. S. Benjamin, John Roland, L. Trefren, Emma McCandless. Bertha Gandy. H. J, Reeder. \\'esley \"annicc. W. ^1. Herbert, and L. H. Jewett.

Since the organization of this class, services have been maintained without any interruption, and in later years, with added strcngtli of numbers in the membership, came added influence and prominence in the community.

The pastors of this church began life in a two-room sod parsonage and in this palace of "prairie marble" many couples were united in marriage and started on their careers 3s pio-

In 1883. the same year of the organization, a small, brick church was erected in the south part of town, and this did duty as Alethodist sanctuary and community auditorium until 1898, when the present structure, on the block west of the court house, was erected, under the direction of the Rev. W. H. D. Hornaday. This structure is still in good repair and its auditorium is the largest in the town. It was

The second parsonage, and the one which supplanted the pioneer soddy, was erected in 1886, during the pastorate of the Rev. F. H. Calder. This dwelling was afterward o u tgrown, and the third parsonage erected in during the George P. the second Two years was first pastorate of the Rev. Trites, who is to-day closing year of his second pastorate, ago (1916) the parsonage was again remodeled, and was made thoroughly modern. The present membership of this church is between three and four hundred. Thej- maintain a live Sunday-school, ladies' society, and all missionary societies working in connection with Methodist polity.

In the roster of pastors who have served this church are many of the strongest Methodist preachers of the state, among whom are R. H. Thompson, A. A. Randall, and the present incumbent, the Rev. George P. Trites, who is a strong man in the pulpit, a faithful pastor, and who, withal, belongs to that class of genial spirits commonly called "good mixers."

Gates And Walworth

Gates and Walworth are country churches. They were intended to be city churches, but the respective cities of Gates and Walworth have been slow to materialize ; consequently, the churches stand in country places, each beside a lone store and postoffice.

The first Methodist service at Gates was held in the sod house of Stillman Gates, who was one of the river pioneers. This service was conducted by Rev. M. R. Pierce, in 1884. The class was organized the same year, with nine charter members : Mr. and Mrs. Stillman Gates, Mr. and Mrs. R. Young, ]\Ir. and Mrs. Ed. Bishop, Mr. and Mrs. W. J\I. Herbert, and Will Athey.

The present church building was erected during the pastorate of the Rev. J. M. Eads, in 1905. The pastoral work at tliis point is supplied from Anselmo.

John W. Cole, whether a reverend or not, is not recorded, held the first Methodist service in Walworth, in 1881, in the home of John Wdlker. A Sunday school was organized in the same year. There were but few charter members who constituted the first class. Only the names of Mr. and Mrs. John Predmore and Mr. and Mrs. John Walker are recorded. The present church building was erected in 1907.

Arnold .Methodist Church

One of the best Methodist churches in the county is the Arnold church, concerning which no data have been obtainable. It is the strongest church of the community and has a corps of stalwart supporters. They have a fine, new church, built in the year 1915, during the pastorate of Rev. ]\Ir. Gettys. The church has been served in the past by such men as Rev. George B. Mayfield, Rev. Charles Bottom, and others.

Sargent Methodists

The Methodists were among the first on the ground at Sargent, yet little data are obtainable. They commenced with a very few members and have steadily grown until to-day they really have the best church property of any church of their denomination in the county. Herewith is submitted a splendid picture of the church, which was built a few years ago.

Merna Methodists

A splendid little church has been maintained by the Methodists of Merna since 1885. The first sermon of this denomination was preached by the Rev. John F. Haney, who is today a resident of Broken Bow. The first class was organized by Henry Reeder. The present church building was built in 1901, by the Rev. W. C. Swartz. It is a small, four-gabled building, with class-room attachments, and makes a very neat appearance, in its location on the principal street of Merna. The attractive five-room parsonage was built in 1909.

The phenomenal success of the Alethodists is largely due to their pioneer work. They never neglected the sparsely settled country. Wherever they could find a Methodist home, there they had a Methodist sanctuary. And if a "circuit-rider," a "local exhorter," or "class leader" could be procured, a Methodist service was held, a Methodist Sunday school organized, and Christian work commenced in that community.

Westerville -Methodist Church

The date of the Westerville organization is not given in any record at hand, but it was efifected some time in the early "SOs and was one of the first churches in the county. Mrs. Floy Lee:h Cannon, who wrote the Westerville story in 1900, makes the statement that the Westerville Methodist church was the first frame church-building erected in the county. The church bell, which was placed in the belfry, was the first church bell that ever rang out upon Custer county air. It was freighted from Kearney, and its Sunday morning performances gave the Westerville church a citified air of unusual dignity. Mrs. Cannon also makes the statement that a Rev. Mr. Brooks was the first regular minister and that Rev. Mr. Hale, of the Orleans district in western Nebraska, was one of their early pastors. The church to-day is prosperous, and maintains regular services, with Rev. Mr. Gettys in charge.

In the early winter of 1880-81 Rev. Asbury Collins, one of the bold pioneer preachers whose labors are known throughout the whole of western Nebraska, preached the first sermon in or near the settlement of Delight. This service was held in the sod schoolhouse, which stood at the foot of the hill, one mile west of the present site of Callaway. At. Mr. Collins' next appointment, which was probably in Jan- - uary, 1881, he organized a society of the Methodist Episcopal church, with nine members, four of whom lived in the immediate neighborhood, the remaining five coming as far as ten miles from their homes in W'ood River valley. Mark H. Deems was appoited classleader, which office in the church he held until he moved away from Callaway. Mr. Collins' work was principally organizing new churches and forming new circuits, and he came to Delight only once a month during the spring and summer following the organization, of the church. In the summer of 1881 Rev. Charles H. Savidge, a local preacher from Wisconsin, came into the community and lived with his son at the Cottonwood ranch, about three miles from Delight postofitice. Because of his own heavy work, ]\Ir. Collins placed the church at Delight in the hands of Mr. Savidge, who preached regularly for over two years.

In the fall of 1884 the church received, for the first time, a minister regularly appointed by the annual conference - Rev. D. M. Ellsworth, who had just come from Illinois. Mr. Ellsworth had shipped his goods to Kearney, where the conference was held that year. In order to have a home for his family, he filed a homestead on a quarter-section of land and put up a little house. The preaching places in the circuit were Delight, Roten \'alley, and Cliff. There had- been a gradual increase in the membership, and after a protracted meeting, held in a sod schoolhouse, in the winter of 1884-5, the membership was thirty-five. The salary paid this year was $3-K), to which was added $123 from the missionary society of the church. In the summer of 1885, the people united in building a neat sod church, on the timber claim of Ira Graves, not far from the sod schoolhouse where they had heretofore worshipped. The trustees were Ira Graves, Mark H. Deems, I. F. Miller, O. C. Murphy, and W'illiam Engels, who were elected by the quarterly conference July 18th. The lumber for the roof and floor of the new church was hauled from Cozad, a distance of fortv miles, and the chairs for seating from

Plum Creek, now Lexington. The church was dedicated in November following, Rev. George W. Martin, presiding" elder. During this year Arnold was added to the Delight circuit.

^Vhen the town of Callaway was laid out, in the summer of 1886, the services were moved from the church, which was nearly a mile out, to the dining room of the Deems hotel, then in course of erection. After the hotel was completed and occupied, the church services were held in Smith's hall, over a hardware store owned by Smith & Needham. This hall was commonly known as the "Callaway Opera House." For its use the church paid two dollars each Sunday and the same amount for each prayer meeting or extra service.

Rev. Thomas H. Thurber was the next pastor, coming to the charge in the fall of 1886. His family made their home in a sod house belonging to Mark H. Deems and reserved by him when he sold his homestead for the townsite. Mr. Thurber himself was "holding down" a claim in Dawson county, and so moved his family back to the claim in the spring, where they remained until he made final proof, in the fall. Mr, Thurber was reappointed for another year, and immediatelv after his return from conference, the people commenced the building of the first frame church in the town of Callaway, The building cost $1,000 and was considered at that time quite an undertaking, but the trustees and members were determined in their efforts and the people of the community responded generously. The church was dedicated December 4, 1887, by Rev, I^eslie Stevens, at that time presiding elder. Only $300 yet remained unpaid, but to those who had already contributed all they felt able, it seemed like attempting the impossible to try to raise that amount. Unwilling to fail at the last moment, eight men agreed together to give each twenty-five dollars more, and when the call was made and these eight in succession subscribed so liberally, others also responded, and in a few minutes the whole amount was raised. After returning from their homestead, the pastor's family had occupied a single room over one of the stores in the town, for which they had to pay twelve dollars per month, and it was not difficult to see that a parsonage was an actual necessity. Accordingly, as soon as the church was completed, the trustees took shares in the building and loan association and immediately commenced work on the parsonage. It was completed in February, 1888, and from that time a good home - small, but cozy and comfortable - has been ready for the Methodist minister and his family. The securing of a church building and parsonage may be considered as closing the pioneer history of the Methodist church of Callaway, and, having laid aside its swaddling clothes, it has had only the ordinary experience of a church - hardships, opposition, and varying degrees of success - important in themselves but not of sufficient interest for a pioneer history,

Baptist Pioneer Work

The following facts and data concerning the inception and progress of Baptist work in Custer county have been furnished by ]\Irs, J, H, Kerr, of Ansley, who for a number of years, has been the clerk of the Baptist Association.

The first work inaugurated by the Baptists in the early days, when pioneers were struggling with the conditions incident to all new countries, was the holding of intermittent services in Lee's Park, by Rev. J. P. Cook, an aged Baptist minister, familiarly called Father Cook. Father Cook was a scholarly man, with a theological training, and during his early ministry held some very important pulpits. He homesteaded on the Middle Loup in the spring of 1878, and, following his natural inclination for missionary work, gathered the settlers together in some available home, and held preaching services and maintained Sunday school work. His work in Lee's Park resulted later in the organization of a small Baptist church, which held together for a few years, but in the process of western moving and shifting, the constituent members moved to other localities and the church was shortlived.

ter county as a missionary field was the Rev. Amos Weaver, who preached his first Custer county sermon in the fall of 1880. in the home of Mr. and Mrs. D. M. .Amsberry, on the Muddy creek. Rev. Weaver, too, was a seminary man and was then engaged in western missionary work with his field of labor mostly in Valley county. During the last session of the Baptist Association, held June 28-30, 1918, at Mason City, the announcement of his death, which occurred only a few weeks before, was made. The association interrupted its business and caused a tribute to be paid to his life and character, besides ordering a fitting resolution of respect to be incorporated in the associational minutes.

The Baptists were the third denomination to begin work in the county, and since the inception of church organization, in 1881. nineteen Baptist churches liave been organized within the limits of the county. These have had a more or less checkered career. Out of the nineteen, only eleven survive until this present time. In the eight dead churches, like in the seven churches of Asia, there was much to commend. Their work is done, and the workers, for the most part, have transferred their Christian activities to other fields. Among the churches that were, and now are not. is the Baptist church of Clear Creek, which was organized some time late in 1881, by Rev. I. D. Fleming. This was the third church organized in the county. It sun'ived but a few years. W. T. Powers, then of Westerville, was the church clerk. The second in this list of deceased churches was the Oconto Baptist church, organized in 1884, by Rev. J. E. Ingham, assisted by B. W. Southwell, of Gibbon, and I\Iark King, of Broken Bow. I. H. Edmisten was the first clerk of the Oconto church. Rev. J. W. Osborn, a general missionary, preached the first Baptist sermon in Oconto. The Oconto church lasted five vears. No building was ever erected, and since 1889 no Baptist work has been maintained.

Lee's Park church was organized probably in 1888, but we have no records or information conceming its organization. It was admitted into the association in 1889, and probably passed out of existence without ever having a settled pastor.

Ash Grove Baptist church, Dale \'alley Baptist church, and Ortello Baptist church, have likewise a paucity of recorded history. We know but little conceming them. The Ortello church seems to have died the same year the Dale church was born, but removals soon disbanded the Dale church. Of the Ash Grove church there are absolutely no available records concerning its work, other than it died in 1894.

Some time in 1887 Rev. William Elliot organized a church known as the Union \'alley Baptist church, eight or nine miles south and west of the present site of Broken Bow. This church flourished for a little season. Within the year 1888 they built a sod meetinghouse and they maintained for some time community services. There is no record that they ever had a settled pastor. J. Q. Daggett, who was then a regularly ordained Baptist minister, preached for them and did considerable pastoral work. The following year, 1889, the little church encountered the difiiculties of a changing, shifting population, and after a few of the stalwart leaders moved away, the few remaining members disbanded.

In 18*^4 a church was organized at Spring Creek, with Rev. D. S. Hulbert, pastor. That is all the record that is obtainable of the Spring Creek organization.

The Baptists of Custer county now maintain eleven live and more or less prosperous churches. All of them, with one exception, have buildings adequate to their needs. They have seven parsonages, located as follows : Lomax. Arnold, Merna, Broken Bow (two), Ansley, and Mason City. This parsonage property is worth approximately $12,000.

Ever since 1884 an associational organization, made up of delegates from the various churches named, has been maintained. The first session was held in I'.roken Bow October 24. 1884. Five churches were represented in that meeting, namely : Broken Bow, Oak Springs (now Ma.son City), Clear Creek,

Oconto, and ^lerna. The late Edmund King, of Broken Bow, was elected moderator and J. H. Edmisten of Oconto, was elected clerk. Since that time, without any iterruptions, the association meetings have been held at some place where the delegates have been the guests of the entertaining church. For the last eighteen or twenty years. D. M. Amsberry, of Broken Bow, has served as moderator and ]\Irs. J. H. Kerr, of Ansley, has served as clerk.

The Broken Bow Church

The county seat being the metropolis, it naturally would be expected to have the strongest church, and in this expectations are realized. This was the first Baptist church organized in the county. The date of its organization was July 5, 1881. Lucky or unlucky, there were thirteen charter members - Edmund King, Emily King, Mark King, Martha King, Cyrus King, Moses Lewis, Martha Lewis, Henry C. Reyner, Emma Reyner, Jacob Mauk, Catherine Mauk, S'amuel A. Miller, and Laura ]\Iiller.

The church was organized by Rev. I. D. Fleming, who served as first pastor. In 1885 they erected a small but commodious building that met the needs of the little congregation in those days. ' In 1897 thts building was remodeled, enlarged, and made more attractive. In 1887 this church built the first Baptist parsonage of the county, a building which still stands, on lower Broadway, and is owned by W. A. Tooley. A few years later, another parsonage was built, on the corner of Broadway and Tenth avenue, beside the remodeled church. This building is a five-room cottage, modernized, and located, as it is, in close proximity to the church, it makes an ideal home for the janitor. Last year, 1917, the church bought a valuable property in the same block, fronting on Broadway, and converted it into a pastorium, located in a beautiful grove of maple and mountain ash. It adds much to the appearance and value of the church property and equipment. Since the organization of the church the following pastors have served, in the order named : Rev. I. D. Fleming. Rev. J. E. Ingham, Rev. D. W. Hall. Rev. Charles Davis. Rev.

In 1912, during the pastorate of Rev. A. E. Rapp, a new building enterprise was undertaken. The old church, on the corner of Broadway and Tenth avenues, directly south of the court-house, was sold and moved away, and preparations were made for the erection of a modern brick edifice in its place.

At this time Rev. Rapp tendered his resignation, and the succeeding pastor. Rev. W. L. Gaston, who was a resident of the county, was called to the pastorate and assigned the task of building the church. Mr. Gaston is now (1919) serving Nebraska as assistant secretary of state.

The membership of the church, however, were united, harmonious, and in working spirit, and the task was not a hard one. Generous assistance was given by the members of other churches and the town people generally.

In striking contrast to the primitive sod sanctuary, or the private dugout, in which were set up the first altars before which Custer county pioneers worshiped, is the modern brick edifice standing on the corner of Broadway and Tenth avenue in Broken Bow. Because of the striking contrast, a description of the church, written five years ago, just before the church building was dedicated, is appended.

The final dedicatory services of the handsome new Baptist church, which is now fully completed, will be held the coming Sunday, both morning, afternoon, and evening. This splendid house of worship as it stands, cost approximately $15,000 and is thoroughly modern in every particular. The finely equipped basement, with its spacious Sundayschool room, is worth going some distance to see.

This place can be turned into the finest banquet room in the city and is perfectly equipped ih the way of culinary paraphernalia. Up-to-date lavatories and toilets also are to be found here. This banquet room, by the way, served to splendid advantage during the land registration. The ladies of the church conducted a dining-room here at all hours of the day and night, and during the two weeks succeeded in taking in a magnificent sum of $1,200 or over. This will make a good showing in the church-debt fund.

The Talbot memorial is on the south side, and was given by the children of Dr. and Mrs. R. C. Talbot, while the children of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob F. ^Mauk have donated a like memorial. Then there are the windows given by the boys' and primary classes, the prevailing colors in them being delicate shades of green and yellow.

On the west, immediately back of the choir gallery, is a very unusual window, there being no other like it in the United States. It is an original design by Rev. W. L. Gaston, pastor are, that the visitor is really impressed. Tliese windows, of which there are sixteen, were manufactured in St. Joseph, Missouri, and are really works of art. In the large hall of the church is the American flag window, which was donated by the Ladies' Missionary Society.

On the east side of the auditorium are two column windows in green and amber, one presented by the Sunday school to Mr. and Mrs. D. M. Amsberry ; while the other is a King memorial, presented by the relatives of Edmund and ^lark King, who were prominently connected with the church in an early day. Between the column windows is a rich and beautiful piece of coloring, showing Christ of the church. Across the top of the window is a double bar of music with the words : "Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow." This window was dbnated by the choir, in honor of Mrs. Willis Cadwell, who has been the church organist for many years. The color scheme of this window is about the same as the rest.

Directly in the west is a square window, in the center of which, portrayed in rich color is Hoflfman's "Ecce Homo." which shows the agony of Christ, on whose head is the crown of thorns. This is the gift of Mrs. W. L. Gaston and children, Gladys and On^in. Next to this is a memorial window, donated by Frank Kelsev in honor of his mother.

In the pastor's study, the Ladies' Aid Society has placed its window. Another window in the west is modest in design and is historical, not to say vmiqiie. At the top is a picture of the old church and pastorium. Below the picture are names of all charter members and complete list of pastors up to the present time. There are also the names of the present officers and the building committee. This is a gift of the young ladies of the church. There is only one other window like this in the world, and that is in the Baptist church at Creston, Iowa.

On the north side of the lecture room is a Calvary window, showing the scene of Calvarv in the distance, with three crosses. It is an elegant painting and is the gift of the young men. The Bible-class window is also shown on the north side.

Ten days after the organization of the Broken Bow church, another Baptist church was organized, at Oak Springs, in the vicinity of old Algernon. This was called the Oak Springs Baptist church. John A. Hall was elected as first church clerk. This church seems to have been a strong, vigorous organization, composed of representative people who were alive to their opportunity and very willing to make sacrifices for the cause. Rev. I. D. Fleming was the organizer and first pastor of this church.

With the building of the Chicago, Burlington, & Ouincy Railroad up to the Muddy, old .Algernon disbanded and the Oak Springs church removed to Mason City, where it is today a strong, prosperous organization. The church has passed through many trying times and has encountered many difficulties, but its members have hung together, weathered every storm, and are now out on the open sea of smoother sailing. The evolution of their church buildings would be hard to describe, other than to say that to-day they have a beautiful, commodious, not over-pretentious edifice, which will meet their -requirements for a few more years.

In 1Q17 the church tore down the old pastorium and erected a new one in its place. The new building is the finest pastorium owned by any denomination in the state, west of Grand Island.

The membership represents a good deal of wealth, so that the church is able to secure the services of able preachers and maintain all branches of denominational work. The membership approximates two hundred. During later years they have been served by strong men, among whom the present pastor. Rev. Paul Scheuk, rates high.

The Merna Baptist church was organized in 1884, by J. E. Ingham, assisted by ]\Iark King. Rev. William Elliott was called as first pastor and F. M. Frazier was church clerk. Here was a handful of devoted spirits, who were never able to make much progress but who have maintained worship, erected an edifice and a pastorium, and who at the present time maintain a local pastor.

This organization seems to have nearly collapsed, and later, in 1887, there was a reorganization, by Rev. Sterns, of Grand Island. He conducted revival meetings, which resulted in a number of conversions and increased the membership to thirty-five.

About this time the Lincoln Townsite Company promised a lot to the denomination that built the first church. The Merna Baptist church took advantage of this oflfer, and at once solicited a building fund, as a result of which the present building was dedicated in the fall of 1887.

The charter members, with the exception of two, have either died or moved away. The exceptions are J. B. Smith and Mrs. Nona Filkins. .\mong the pastors who have served the church are Rev. W. M. Jewel. W. A. Farrell, F. A. Reisner, J. D. Brady, W. L. Gaston. and the present incumbent, the Rev. C. C. \'an Gorkon.

were thirteen charter members, as follows : A. B. Fleming- and wife, C. F. Davis and wife, JMrs. Jane Amsberry. ^I. S. CofTman. Walter W. Theobald and wife. Mrs. E. H. Burrows, Mrs. Cliarlotte A. Stevenson, James Westervelt and wife, and J. G. Amsberry. It was first represented at the Custer Association, held at Broken Bow, September 24, 1886, by the following delegates: Mrs. Charlotte Stevenson. W. W. Theobald. James Westervelt, and the pastor, J. E. Ingham. Meetings were first held in the town hall and afterward in the Presbyterian church. The church entertained the Custer Association in September, 1887. Rev. Theobald came next as minister and preached until Rev. L. W. Gowen was called for part time. Rev. Mr. Gowen was pastor also at Mason City and continued to serve the two churches until November, 1889. Having no church building and losing by removal its efficient church clerk, W. W. Theobald, and by death one of its most faithful members, Mrs. E. H. Burrows, it had no regular services from 1889 to 1899. On .\ugust 8, 1899, Rev. S. C. Green, secretan,- of the Nebraska State Baptist Association, reorganized the Baptist church, the meeting being held in the parlor of ]Mrs. C. R. Stevenson. Those going into the new organization were : Mrs. Charlotte Stevenson, J. H. Kerr and wife, N. Amsberry and wife, Arthur, Myrtle, and Minnie Meyers, A. H. Lewis and wife, E. J. Ov.'ens and wife, and \erla and Esty Lewis. The officers chosen were : Rev. J. R. Woods, pastor for part time ; deacon, N. Amsberry: clerk, A. IT. Lewis; trustees. J. H. Kerr, Henry Zimmerman, and E. J. Owens; treasurer. Mrs. J. II. Kerr. On August 20, 1899, the church was given recognition and again received into the Custer Association as a Baptist church, regularly organized. In 1901 J. H. Kerr was appointed to iiurclia?e three lots for the church building. These lots were located on Main street, and on October 25, 1903, the church was dedicated. In February, 1906. two more lots were purchased and a parsonage built. In 1917 a basement was built, at a cost of $2,000. Pastors who have served the church : J. E. Ingham, L. W.

Gowen, J. R. Woods. D. J. Briggs. \\. K. Markland. J. M. F. Heuman. Frank C. Barrett. F. A. Conners. R. Richards. C. T. McKee, J. T. Brown, C. A. Spaulding, and the present pastor, R. Richards. The church has always been a missionary church and has contributed largely to all the denominational interests. In 1911 a branch of the church was organized at Happy Hill schoolhouse. J. E. Staab. Lyman Amsberry, and Ray Zimmerman being the officers. The present membership is 165. The church property is valued at $8,000. The i:resent officers are: Pastor. R. Richards; deacons, N. Amsberry, William Ililow. and Chester Loyd; trustees, J. H. Kerr, William Price, and W. J. McCullough ; treasurer, Mrs. J. H. Kerr ; Sunday-school superintendent, J. B. Jones ; Sunday-school secretary, Elsie Butler ; Sunday-school treasurer, Mrs. Mabel Lewis ; organist. Miss Crissie Southard ; chorister. Mrs. J. H. Holeman ; B. Y. P. U. president, Mrs. Fannie Austrand. At the reorganization of the church in 18W, a Mission Circle was formed, of whicli Mrs. J. H. Kerr has always been the president. \lrs. E. W. Pester is at present the secretary-treasurer.

In 1906 a new parsonage was built, which has since been improved and modernized, and it is to-day occupied by the incumbent pastor, Rev. R. Richards.

The El'Dells

Rev. J. M. Maxwell, an able and educated minister, from Indiana, located at Cumro and in 1886 organized the first Eudell Baptist church, with Nc George as church clerk. Shortly after its organization, a sod church was built, and this served the purposes of the congregation and community for a number of years - until it was replaced by the frame building which is now in use. The work in this community has been steady, never large, but always the faithful resident members have sustained Sunday-school and, most of the time, ]ireaching servicer.

The church to-day is under tlie pastoral care of Rev. W. C. ^^'alcott. who serves this church in connection with the field at Sumner. In 18'il a Itranch of this church was organized, by the Rev. J. M. I\Iax\vell, at a [xiint six or seven miles east of the first church, and this newer branch organization is now called the Second Eiidell Baptist church.

The career of the second church has been much the same as that of the first. A few substantial Baptist families, such as those of William Eleo and B. F. Nicholas, have contributed both the life and support of the church for the last twenty years or more. At present the church employs a pastor for half time. Rev. W. E. Stilson serves this church and also that of Bethel Union, eight miles north of Broken Bow.

Owing to the missionary work of O. A. Buzzell, two small churches were organized in the Wood river and South Loup country, at Lomax and Lodi. These organizations were effected some time in the early '90s. Both have secured frame buildings and a comfortable parsonage has been built at Lomax. These are both rural churches and preaching services have been more or less intermittent. In each neighborhood, however, reside one or two staunch Baptist families, who have managed to keep church expenses paid and the church door open. At the present time both churches are without pastors.

Bethel Union

On January 20, 1901. the Bethel Union church, eight miles north of Broken Bow, was organized in the home of Mrs. Amanda Holcomb. Seven persons were present, and only a few charter members were obtained, but meetings were held in a schoolhouse and the people of the community, generally, gave the church their support. Several additions were made to the church as the result of evangelistic meetings.

In 1906 the church built the present building and dedicated it. free of debt. The regular services have been maintained most of the time since. The Rev. J. R- A\'oods served as pastor for a number of years next after the organization.

Rev. W. L. Gaston, then of ]\lerna, commenced afternoon services in August, 1909, and continued them every two weeks until the close of 1915. Since that time the church has been without services most of the time. Rev. W. E. Stilson is present pastor and is spending much time upon the field. Only a few of the original members remain, removals and death having changed entirely the first church roll.

The Highland church is the baby church of the association, as the result of a meeting held on the extreme west and southern rim of the West Table, by the Rev. F. A. Reisner, in the fall of 1916. A few families were banded together into a church organization, known as the Highland Baptist church.

The work they have been doing, which consists mainly of maintaining a Sunday-school and an occasional preaching service, has been largely of a union character. Rev. C. C. Van Gorkon, pastor of the Merna church, is now serving the Highland church with afternoon appointments. The organization has no building, but maintains services in a schoolhouse.

The Eree Methodist Church

The Free Methodist church of Ansley has a membership of twenty-five, but they are holding no services at present. They own a parsonage, the value of which is $1,800. The trustees of the church are M. V. Hawk, J. H. Brand, and John Daniels. This denomination has a small following throughout the countv. but their work has been intermittent and confined to localities in the country pre:incts. They have no church buildings at the present time and no county organization.

The first Presbyterian services of which there is any record were held in the home of S. C. Stuckey, on Burr Oak creek, in 1879, by Rev. Air. Cornett, who was then located at Lexington.

The first Presbyterian organization, as stated elsewhere, was in the New Helena district, in 1880, at which time a minister named Stevenson, from ^^'est \"irginia, lo- cated on a New Helena homestead. Stevenson stayed but a short time, perhaps less than one year, but during that time effected a local organization of some nature, which later was carried on by Rev. Lysander T. Burbank, who in the same year located in the vicinity of Burr Oak. Afterw^ard, however, this New Helena and Lillian work was taken over by the Methodists, who supplied the preaching stations from Westerville.

Some time in the spring of 1880 a Presbyterian church was organized at Burr Oak, by a Rev. Mr. Little, who was the first synodical missionary to do Presbyterian work in Custer county. Rev. Dr. Burbank, who arrived in Custer county October 1, 1880. came to assume the pastorate of this church, which he served for a number of years without salary. Aside from being a preacher, Dr. Burbank was a physician, and he practiced medicine up and down the South I^oup in the early days. The records show that he was a student under Mark Hopkins, the illustrious president of Williams College. President Garfield and ex-Senator John J. Ingalls were both upper-class men in this institution while Dr. Burbank was an undergraduate.

Broken' Bow Presbyterians

The Presbyterian church of PIroken Bow was organized in 1885, by a Rev. Mr. Doremus, who at the time was serving the Ansley church. The charter members were E. A. Hemsworth, Mrs. Hemsworth, G. H. Tuttle. Mrs. Addie Tuttle, Mrs. Jennie Biggerstaff, Mrs. R. E. Martin, and Mrs. Kimel Barnes.

For some time services were held in a public hall, the congregation awaiting the time when they felt they would be able to build the church home they required. This was done in 1893. A very commodious, beautiful structure, for the time, was erected on the north side of the railroad, on Tenth avenue, at a cost of about $3,500. The Rev. George Bailey was pastor during the building and dedication of the church. This was at the time the best church building in the county. In 1904 the structure was destroyed by fire, and it was rebuilt in the fall of the same year. It was dedicated in April, 1906. The following account of the dedication is

''More than a year ago this church lost its pleasant house of worship through a visitation of fire, and the people were forced to meet in a rented hall - as in the early days of their organization. At once they began to plan for a new church which would be larger and more convenient than the one destroyed. As a result of their energy' and liberality, a building costing about $6,000 was dedicated on April 10, during the session of Kearney presbytery, which was being held at Broken Bow. Rev. George A. Ray, D. D., of St. Paul, preached the dedicatory sermon ; the pastor. Rev. A. A. ^Mitchell, conducted the formal service of dedication. Rev. Dr. Thomas C. Clark, of Grand Island, offering the prayers. During this same session of the presbytery a formal call was presented from the Broken Bow church to Rev. A. A. Mitchell, and he was installed as pastor, on the evening of April 11, 1906. Since that time the church has had renewed life, receiving on one Sab-

While Rev. A. A. Alitchell was not settled as pastor until the time of dedication, he had been acting as stated supply and it was due to his labor that the church was built.

The church erected a manse which is a splendid, two-story, modern structure, equal to all the needs of a minister's family. The present pastor. Rev. A. H. Frazer, has been eight years with the church, loved. by his people and respected by the community.

The Ansley Presbyterian Church

The Presbyterian building was the first church structure erected in Ansley. It was built in the spring of 1887 and was dedicated in July of the same year. Rev. Mr. Sexton, of Seward, officiating. The first pastor was Rev. Mr. Doremus. Being the only church in the town, it was used by all denominations until each was able to erect a church edifice of its own. Several ministers, whose names are not now remembered, served the church before 1893. But in that year Rev. Mr. Alitchelmore became its pastor. He continued in that'capacity up to 1894, and thereafter, on account of the drouth, the church stood vacant for several years. The next pastor was Rev. Paul Naylor, since whose pastorate the ministers whose names we have been able to secure, have been Rev. Mr. McCachran, Rev. Mr. Strickler, and Rev. Mr. Thomas. The church is now inactive.

Although the people of the Protestant Episcopal church were not among the early pioneers, they have, nevertheless, been missionaries of no mean dimensions. They have operated, in a small way, in most of the towns of the county. Their people were among the early settlers in most localities, although, in most instances, not numerous enough to warrant the establishing of a church.

Callaway Protestant Episcopal Church

While an occasional service was held in Callaway by the missionary resident of Broken Bow, under the direction of the Right Reverend George Worthington, bishop of the diocese of Nebraska, it was not until the consecration of Right Reverend Anson R. Graves, January 1, 1890, and the setting aside of the jurisdiction of the Platte, that any regular services were held in Callaway. Bishop Graves visited Callaway Alay 16, 1890, and arranged for regular services by Rev. W. S. Sayres, rector at Broken Bow. Under his active encouragement and help, Holy Trinity church was erected and the misison built up. The church building cost $1,500 and was erected in 1890. To the ceaseless energy of Mrs. Georgia Ingram, more than to any other one person, is due the credit for the erection of the largest church building in Callaway. Its corner-stone was laid, with due Masonic ceremonies, November 25, 1890, this beinsr the first instance in which this symbolic service was held in Custer county. The officers present were : M. W. Robert E. French, grand master ; and R. W. Lee P. Gillett, grand custodian. They were assisted by forty master Masons, local and visitors. Broken Bow sent twentysix Masons. In the furnishing of the church many beautiful and useful articles were received from various liberal churchmen, among which were : Silver communion service, by the sons of O. M. Carter, Omaha ; Holy Bible, Church of the Heavenly Rest, New York; bell, John Taylor & Company, Laughborough, England; altar linen, altar hangings, and dossal curtain, beautiful white set, Mrs. Georgia Ingram, San Diego, California ; purple set, Mrs. Graves, wife of the bishop; green set, Ladies' Guild ; alms basin. Rev. R. G. Osborn, of Platte Collegiate Institute ; corner stone, cross, Mr. Osborn, of Kearney granite works ; candlesticks, gilt and silver, Arthur Bird ; vases, V. G. Gurinian.

1894, threw the church off its foundation and injured everything in the building. In this year of misfortunes, the church was moved to a new location, was repaired, a furnace was put in, and a rectory built, necessitating an expenditure of $950 in cash. By some strange coincidtence, the greatest niaterial advance to Holy Trinuy church has seemed to come in times of greatest financial depressions. The church was consecrated, free of debt, January 1, 1895, and organized as a mission, under the rules of the bishop of the Platte, July 7, 1895. The jurisdiction of the Platte was abolished and the jurisdiction of Laramie took its place in 1898. At first, services were held once a month, sometimes once in two months, but the church has so prospered that since 1900 regular morning and evening services have been held every Sunday. The rector does missionary work along the Kearney & Black Hills Railroad and around Callaway. The following rectors have had charge -of this mission under Rt. Rev. Anson R. Graves. S'. T. D.. bishop of Laramie: Rev. W. S. Sayres. Rev. S. A. Potter, Rev. H. E. Robbins, Rev. Austin F. ^Morgan, Rev. E. P. Chittenden, Ph.D., Rev. John Powers, Rev. A. E. Osborn. Rev. R. A. Russell. Rev. Charles Ferguson, Rev. R. AI. Herdman. Rev. J. M. Bates. The number of communicants on ]\Iay 1. 1''01. was fifty. The, then, official members of the church were : Senior warden, H. H. Andrews; junior warden, George O. Benger; clerk, !Mrs. Clara Benger : organist. Miss Emily Holloway; lay-reader. H. H. Andrews. To the chief shepherd of the flock. Bishop Graves, is due chief praise for his good work in his mission, giving it the best of his clergy and ever raising funds to improve its property.

The Ladies' Guild of the Protestant Ejiiscopal church was organized by the Rt. Rev. Anson R. Graves at the time of his first visit to Callaway, on May, 16, 1890. This organization was completed Alay 27, 1890, by the adoption of the by-laws and the election of the following officers. President, Mrs. Lydia F. Bird; vice-president. Mrs. Catherine E. Nixdn : secretary, Mrs. Georgia .\. Ingram ; treasurer.

George S. Smith. The following members were first enroUetl : Mrs. Lydia F. Bird, Mrs. Anna Tyson, ]\Irs. Catherine E. Nixon, Mrs. Etta Bergman, Mrs. Georgia A. Ingram, Mrs. Fannie Sherwood, Mrs. Martha Pike, ^liss Lucy J. Johnston. From this nucleus sprang not a large but a very active guild, which has been the mainstay of Holy Trinity church. The history of the guild is the history of the church. The guild really was the prime mover in building and furnishing the church. It purchased the historical organ - the organ which for years was the only one in town, one which was used to every occasion, and which finally, through the liberality of the guild, found a resting place within the church, where it now dispenses sacred music as sweetly as it did secular harmonies in its youth. The guild furnished the seats of the church, the communion rail, and the altar. It paid for half of the English bell and paid freight and custom duties on it. The bell was a half-gift from John Taylor & Company, Laughborough. England. So not only is the church in communion with the Church of England, but the congregation assembles every Sunday at the ring and call of its English bell. The guild has supported in ])art the rector's salar\-, paid incidental expenses, se.xton and organist, and made up deficiencies in general. During the drouth of 18<50. the guild disbursed needful articles to the indigent and worthy poor, and the same was true of the great drouth of 1894. It is the active, working organization of the church, rich in good deeds and worthy of the highest praise. The officers at that time were : President, Mrs. Hattie Andrews ; secretary, Mrs. Clara Benger; vice-president, Mrs. Josephine Phillips: treasurer, Mr. H. H. Andrews. The membership is about twenty.

Holy Trinity Sunday-school membership has remained about stationary. The superintendent, from the time of organization, has been H. H. Andrews. Teachers : Olive Phillips, Mabel Decker, Enima Conly. Emily Holloway, and Emily Brcga.

were first brought to Broken Bow during the days of the late Bishop Worthington, who, in 1886, sent Rev. M. Fullforth out from Omaha to look over the field. There being but a small handful of Episcopalians in this community at that time, Rev. Mr. Fullforth called them together during his church ser^'ice in August, 1886, in what was then the Opera House. This new church was organized as St. John's Protestant Episcopal church. Later that year, or in the early part of 1887, Rev. Dr. Zahner came to Broken Bow and obtained something like $800 in subscriptions for building a church, the land being given by the Lincoln Land Company for that purpose. In 1887, following a short stay by Dr. Zahner, came the Rev. Oliver JBooth, who was the first settled rector. The church services were held in various places, a m o n g which were the Burlington hotel and the homes of some of the members. It was during the Rev. Mr. Booth's pastorate that a church building was erected. Operations were begun in April, 1889, and finished in September of the same year. The first service held in the new edifice was a marriage ceremony. Bishop Worthington paid an episcopal visit to this new field in September, 1888.

During the time between Bishop Worthington's visit and the completion of the church building, Bishop A. R. Graves was made bishop over this part of the state of Nebraska, and he made his first visitation to Broken Bow- January 9, 1890. At the time of this visit a subscription for supporting a clegyman was begfun, and also a fund for wiping out the indebtedness created by building a church.

Between the resignation of Rev. Mr. Booth, in October, 1889, and the arrival of the Rev. \V. S. Sayres, May 30, 1890, services were not held with any regularity. Upon Mr. Sayres taking charge of the work the services were held weekly, except for one Sunday each month, when he went to Callaway for service. This arrangement prevailed until January, 1893, when the Callaway church obtained a rector for itself, thus releasing Mr. S'ayres for other work, in Ansley, where he managed to hold services every Sunday afternoon. In

June. 1893, the church received its first coat of ]) a i n t. V e r y shortly after this, July 4th, Mr. Sayres resigned to take up work in another field. During his stay here he held services at different times in Litchfield, Mason City, Ravenna, Ashley, Custer Center, Merna, Sargent, West LTnion, Hyannis, Sand X'alley, and Callaway.

From July 12 to September 28, 1893, this work was taken charge of by Rev. F. M. Bacon, deacon, and Broken Bow was given weekly service. Throughout the following year the Rev. R. L. Knox had charge of the work. Mr. Knox, upon leaving Broken Bow, took charge of the church at Arapahoe. His place was filled in Broken Bow by the Rev. H. E. Robbins, deacon, who remained until July 30, 1895. During a period of nearly two years only occasional services were held by ordained clergAnnen, the interim being supplied by layreaders. The Rev. George Green was in charge of St. John's church from June, 1897, until the following August. In October, 1897, the Rev. J. B. VanFleet took charge of the

From October, 1898, to September, 1899, the Rev. Charles Ferguson had charge, and during his pastorate he held a monthly service at Callaway, where he resided during his last month in the state, whence he went to Tucson, Arizona. While in charge of Broken Bow and Callaway, lie prepared for publication his book entitled "The Religion of Democracy."

Then followed a period of more than two years during which the sacraments of the church were administered only occasionally, the most of the services being conducted by a lay-reader.

From January, 1900. to May, 1902, the Rev. Walton H. Daggett held the pastorate in Broken Bow. It was during his charge here that many minor improvements were made in the church building and the rectory, which had been provided by the Woman's Guild. Among the improvements in the church were an altar, brass candle-sticks, brass cross, a hymn board, etc., besides vestments for the choir.

The Rev. William H. Nanders then took up the work, and he remained from May. 1902, to Januarv, 1910. During his pastorate other improvements were added to the church and rectory, the rectory being enlarged.

Mr. W. C. J. Dinnville, a lay-reader, had charge of the work from IMay, 1910, to November, 1912. While in charge of this work he pursued his theological studies, and in March, 1911, he was made a deacon, by our present bishop, Rt. Rev. George Allen Beecher, D. D.

From November, 1912, until 1914, the Rev. L. A. Arthur, of Grand Island, ministered occasionally to the jjeople of Broken Bow, and early in 1915 the Rev. F. A. Henry took up the work. He remained until ^larch, 1918.

Sunday, June 9, 1918, Rev. T. W. Morgan, deacon, was advanced to the priesthood, in St. John's church, and he immediately took charge of the work of this parish, of which he has since continued the rector.

The Church Of God

The early work done by the pioneer preachers of the Church of God should be recorded along with the account of work done by devoted men of other denominations. This body of devoted people have never lacked in enthusiasm, and when it is considered that they have not been backed by a large denomination which could render outside support, and have l)een led by an unpaid ministn.-. they have made a creditable showing. Their pioneer work was done mostly at Weissert and Berwyn. The most prominent, and perhaps the ablest, of their preachers is the Rev. Richard Bellis, who during the years has conducted farming operations in connection with his ministry. The fertile fields of Custer county soil, if not the spiritual fields of Custer county churches, have rewarded Rev. Bellis and his good wife with a competency for their old age, so that they now live in comfortable retirement on their farm near Berwyn.

This denomination maintains at the present time, two organizations, in Custer county, one at Weissert, where they have a frame church building, and the other at Berwyn, where they have a very neat, three-gabled building, nicely furnished, and adequate for the needs of the small town. These two churches are served by the Rev. John Armour, who, like his predecessor, depends upon the good soil of the realm for the staflf of life, and "eats his bread in the sweat of his brow." Rev. John Armour, preacher and farmer, is young and vigorous, and his Sabbath ministrations are carried on with a zeal and fervor unrestrained by the farm labor of the week.

Christi.Vx Chcrch

To Elder E. D. Eubank, now a resident of Broken Bow, must be given the honor of opening Custer county to the plea of the Disciples of Christ, commonly known as the Christian church. He moved here in 1874, and settled on the Middle Loup river near Wescott. In common with all preachers of this communion, he was full of the desire to preach the gospel wheresoever he foinid himself, and it was not long until he began to gather the people together for worship. Mrs. Eubank led in forming a Sunday school, as well as gathering the few children of the neighborhood into her own home for a day school. As a result of this beginning, there was effected, in 1875, a small organization, with Mr. Guthrie as elder, and this continued to hold services for a time. The members thus drawn together in this early day mostly united with the church at Sargent, at the time of its organization.

Elder Eubank had the experience that often met the pioneer preacher, and frequently had to w'alk to places of meeting. At one time he was called across the Loup for a funeral, and went o\-er in the morning on the ice. On his return, in the afternoon, he was taken to the river in a conveyance by one of the neighbors, who drove away at once and the preacher wended his way to the ice. A change had taken place during the day, and, before he was very far along, the ice was showing signs of breaking up. Finally he had to wade the water, "midst floating ice, because of a rift that separated him from the shore. He preached the first funeral sermon in the county and married the first couple - Edgar Denial and ]\Iiss Josephine Eubank. He served as the first county superintendent of schools. Two other men preached in those early days at Wescott - Elders Reuben [Manning and S. A. Kopp. Both of these have passed to their reward, Mr. Manning being buried at Sargent July 26, 1918.

Arnold

The next organization effected was at Arnold, or more correctly at Henry Brothers' cattle ranch, then occupied by ^Morgan S. Parks and William W. Frazier and family. Elder Landis J. Correll, a veteran pioneer preacher, held services April 1, 1883, with about twenty-five persons present. Regular preaching was had thereafter, and on July 11. 1884. the church was formally organized.

with the following charter members ; L. J. Correll, Martha Correll, Marcellus Sargent. Lena Sargent, William W. Frazier, Laura J. Frazier, Charles Tremmel, Mrs. Charles Tremmel, A. Mofifett, Mrs. A. Moflfett, Anna M. Saunders, Allen Holeman, and Amos S. Gamble. The record of the first officers is not available, but Elder Correll continued to minister to the congregation for a number of years and doubtless served as elder.

Twelve members were added during the year of 1884 and as a result of a meeting held, in the fall of 1885, by Elder Henderson and L. J. Correll, nine others united with the church. During this year a frame building was erected, at a cost of $1200, and was dedicated by R. C. Barrow, state evangelist, December 19, 1885. February 14, 1886, John T. Smith, of Nebraska City, conducted a series of revival meetings, lasting four weeks, and seven members were added. Again, in 1893, Evangelist Smith was called, and twenty-one additions resulted from the meetings held. "Father" Correll, as he was familiarly called, still served as pastor.

All of this time a regular Bible s:hool was conducted by the church, but the names of officers cannot be given. D. A. Youtzy followed L. J. Correll as pastor. Owen J. Owens served six months in 1897 ; E. D. Eubank a like period in 1890; Ford A. Ellis, from April to September 1, 1906, during his vacation while attending Cotner University ; and E. J. Ratcliflfe in 1907; N. S. Carpenter in 1908; Ford A. Ellis again in 1911-12; J. G. Slick one year, 1913; G. W. Gentry, part of 1914; and F. H. Gerrett a part of 1916-17. School is held regularly every Lord's day, with an enrollment of fifty. John M. Saunders is the superintendent. The church now numbers eighty-three members, with the following officers; Elders, Charles Sanderson, John Samuelson, Warren Copeland ; deacons, George Ransier, John Backes, Charles Backes, Oral Gunter, Harry Shaw, Arthur Scott; trustees. John Backes, Charles Sanderson, John Samuelson; deaconesses, Lydia Backes,

Liberty

The church at Liberty was organized on Clear creek, about ten miles east of Ansley, following a meeting held by M. A. Sweeney in October, 1883. There were about twentyfive charter members, of whom John Sargent and A. W. Hyatt served as elders. About the year 1886 H. L. Burns held a meeting at the -Kimball schoolhouse. seven miles northwest of where the first church was organized, and a new organization was efifected. of which Bradford Rose. Cain Moody, Ernest House, and Joseph Hyatt were deacons. The two churches came together in 1887. midway between the two locations, on the farm of J. W. Bryan. There they built a large sod meetinghouse, in which they continued to worship. under the name Liberty Christian church, until the year 1903. when a neat and comfortable frame structure was built, the same having been dedicated the same autumn, by the state secretary, W. A. Baldwin. The following ministers have served as pastors, begiiming with the first organization, in 1886: A. M. Sweeney, C. A. Miller, H. L. Burns. E. D. Eubank, S. A. Kopp. Jesse R. Teagarden. J. P. Waldron, Carl Knapp, Fred (lalliger, P. G. Dennis, and Charles A. Shook. At this writing the organization is defunct, through death and removal of the members. A number of the remaining members are now identified with the Banner church, organized by Charles A. Shook, in December, 1917.

The beginnings of the Christian church in Broken Bow date back to May, 1886, when the state evangelist, N. B. Alley, formed an organization which met for a time in the Baptist church building and then, again for a brief period, in a hall. Among the charter member? were John \'an Horn, J. B. Farrell. J. J. Brown and wife, David Brinson and wife, W. S. Boyce and wife, ]\Irs. Xcllie Humphrey, W. R. Wiley, B. W. Blair. Xettie Atkinson, and E. E. Hastings. The evangelist appointed the following officers : Elders, J. J. Brown, W". R. Wiley, and B. W. Blair ; deacons. John \ an Horn and E. E. Hastings; deaconesses, M. Louisa Brown. Nettie Atkinson, and Mrs. Nellie Humphrey. The work did not flourish for a time, because of lack of pastoral care, and in December, 1886. Elder E. D. Eubank held a meeting of a month, in the Baptist church, thereafter serving the congregation as its pastor. During this meeting three trustees were elected, as follows : John \'an Horn, David Brinson, and J. J. Brown. This church has enjoyed the usual vicissitudes meeting those who would establish the Lord's work on the very frontiers of advancing settlements and civilization. Periods of growth and exaltation were intermingled with times of -depression and discouragement. The common lot of a new organization in the midst of a moving and shifting population was theirs. But throughout the years the church has been able to maintain its organization and for the most part has had pastoral oversight. The loss of the original records makes it uncertain whether the following list of preachers is exactly correct, but it is substantially so. Following E. D. Eubank, they are as follows : D. A. ^ outzy. Porter. Pace. Surgeson. Shields, Sherman Hill, J. R. Teagarden. T. L. Mc- Donald, George Boomer, L. R. Harman. C. \'. .\llison. A. J. Hargett. J. S. Early, N. T. Harmon. Z. O. Doward. W. C. Lessley. J. E. Ferguson, and the ])resent pastor. W. A. Baldwin. Several of these were supply men only and some were students, serving only through vacations. J. R. Teagarden served at several different periods, being called to the work in connection with other business. In 1S87 a frame building was erected, at the comer of Eleventh avenue and P street, and tliis housed the congregation during the years intervening until 1''07. when J. S. Early was serving the church. Mr. Early took up Viork begun in the summer by A. J. Hargett. who was filling llie pastorate in his vacation, lie had raised a part of the subscriptions toward a new building and a lot was secured on the corner ;it Tenth avenue and () street. I'nder the businesslike le;idershi]) of Mr.

Early the present house of worship was completed, at a total cost of $6,000. It was dedicated by F. M. Rains, of Cincinnati, Ohio, secretary of the Foreign Christian Missionary Society. The old church building and site were sold to J. C. Moore, who converted the building into a comfortable residence, which is now occupied by the pastor, W. A. Baldwin. This church has always maintained a Bible school from the earliest days. The first list of oiificers was lost with the records. It now has an enrolment of 105 and the officers are as follows : Superintendent, Mrs. W. R. ]\Iorgan ; assistant superintendent, G. Dillard Lesslev ( at this time serving his countrv and humanity "Somewhere in France") ; secretary, Miss Alice Francis; treasurer, Miss Bessie Latzke; pianist. Miss Atlanta Tuttle. The school is following modern methods in Liibleschool work, using graded lessons in the primary and intermediate departments. Two strong Bible classes among the seniors are taught by J. C. Aloore and Hon. C. W. Beal. In the matter of membership in the church, the earlier information is lacking, but it has grown with the passing of the years. At present the roll shows 231 members, including an absent list of more than forty. Alany revival meetings have been held and have always given additional names to the list of members. Alany students from other places have come in and then returned to their homes. This, in

Officers absent in the service of the United States at the time of this writing are : Elder G. Dillard Lessley, Hospital Train No. 39, American Expeditionary Force ; deacons Mauritz Malm, Company B, 342. 89th Division, Machine Gun Battalion, American Exjjedition Force ; Walter Ellis, Headquarters Company 339, Field Artillery, 88th Division, American Expeditionary Force.

Two women's societies arc maintained, the Sisterhood doing a social and helpful work in the affairs of the church. President, Mrs. C. H. Holcomb ; secretary, Mrs. William Darnell ; treasurer, Mrs. G. B. Landis. The missionary society known as the Christian Woman's Board of Alissions Auxiliary, with Miss Maude Baldwin president ; Mrs. J. H. Johnson, secretary; and Airs. H. C. Kimball, treasurer. Mrs. J. Beckwith is literary superintendent.

The Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor has a membership of fifteen. Jiliss Bessie Latzke is president; Miss Atlanta Tuttle, secretary and treasurer; Miss Ethel Roberts, corresponding secretary.

In 1887. at the Grandview schoolhouse. a Sundav school was opened, with Charles Jones as superintendent. Preaching services were conducted by George Dixon. The work was continued until, in 1889, as the result of a meeting held by J. R. Teagarden. in which some twenty-five persons were converted, an organization was consummated at Windy Point schoolhouse. Practically the same group who were interested in the first work, went into the latter. This church met with varying degrees of success and failure as the years slipped by. In May, 1911, S. R. McClure, evangejist of the Nebraska Christian Missionary Society, who was in a meeting at Lillian, visited Anselmo and, finding there a desire for the work to be revived, he arranged to begin a meeting in the town the same month. The results were unexpecfedly gratifying, eighty-four persons coming out on the side of the Lord. Steps were immediately taken to build, and by the time the meeting closed the new house was well along toward completion. It was fully fitted out that summer, at a cost of $2,000, and in the early fall it was dedicated, by W. A. Baldwin, state secretary of the missionary society that had supported the evangelist in the work. Of the eighty-four persons coming into the church during the meeting, fifty-three were received by confes- Kion and baptism. Twenty of the former members joined with the new material to form the new congregation. Frank Reeder served as pastor for a short time thereafter, as he had been preaching for them previously. A Bible school has been maintained regfularly, and William V. White is now the superintendent.

The following preachers have served the congregations during the period from the beginning: George Dixon, E. D. Eubank. Frank J. Emerson, Ford A. Ellis, J. R. Teagarden, Frank Reeder, W. C. Lessley. Mr. Lessley has been serving, as his time would permit, for several years and is still looked to for preaching when he can give them time. William White is elder, and Mrs. William White is church clerk. There are about thirty members.

At White Pigeon schoolhouse, E. D. Eubank held services and organized a small congregation into a working church in 1888. Most of these members later became members of the Lillian church. It remained a preaching point for a number of years.

ANSLEY The Christian church of Ansley was organized in Alarch 1889, following a meeting held in a hall over C. J. Stevens" store, by the state evangelist, R. C. Barrow. The charter members were Dan Hagin, Mrs. Dovia Hagin, Frank Hagin, John Sargent, Laura A. Sargent, Simon Rigby, Alice Rigby, Mary Hagin, George Rich, Marie Rich, Fanny Gaines, ^Irs. Anthony, and Jeanette Stevenson (now Mrs. Frank Housel). The officiary consisted of two elders, John Sargent and George Rich, and two deacons, Dan Hagin and Simon Rigby. In 1892 the present house of worship was erected, at a cost of $3,000. and it was dedicated in Augvist of that year, by Dr. W. P. Aylsworth. dean of the sacred-literature department of Cotner L'niversity. The succes- sion of pastors is here recorded: W. H. Hedges, Fred Hagin, J. Sherman Hill. J. \\'. Walker. George Bailey, Jesse R. Teagarden, C. \'. Allison, T. C. :McIntyre. D. G. \\'agner. F. D. Hobson, P. G. Dennis, and the present pastor, Charles A. Shook. The church now has an active membership of 153 and an outlying membership of about thirty-five in th? church organized at the Banner schoolhouse in December, 1917, by the pastor, Charles A. Shook. It has a Bible school enrollment of about 150, with an average attendance of seventy-one. C. W. Hawk is the present superintendent. The Chi'istian Endeavor Society has thirteen members and Miss Eva S'tuckey is president. There is a strong woman's missionary society, known as the Christian Woman's Board of Missions .-Xuxiliarv, with

The present officers of the church are: Elders, Frank Housel, Charles W. Hawk, J. N. Trout, E. C. Moody, and Charles A. Shook; deacons, J- T. AIcGowan, William Housel, Roy Waters, B. F. Crouch, and Ed. Ming; clerk, J. T. McGowan ; treasurer, W. C. Housel.

This church has sent out one preacher, Fred Hagin, son of Dan and Mrs. Dovia Hagin, and he has been for some years a missionary in the foreign field, at Tokio, Japan. This has been one of the strong churches of the Disciples of Christ in this county. It has maintained its vitality and has a prominent place in the village of Ansley and the community round about.

Coburg

The church at Coburg began its work in a sod schoolhouse, about the year 1890, E. D. Eubank and Reuben Manning leading in the organization and afterward both of these men ministered to the congregation. The list of charter members is not available, but the officers chosen were as follows : Elder, L. L. Wood : deacons, J- S. Amos, John Jorn ; clerk and treasurer, Richard Eubank. A Bible school was organized, with Richard Eubank as superintendent. Regular services were maintained, with occasional vacancies in the pastorate. In 1913 a meeting-house was constructed, and it is now the home of the congregation.

The following preachers have serv^ed : S. A. Kopp, E. D. Eubank. R. D. McCance. H. L. Denton, A. O. Startwood. A. L. Field, N. C. Carpenter, and J. S. Reel, the last named being the present minister, in co-operation with the Sargent church. The present inembership is forty-five and the officers are : Elders, J. Jorn, Emmet Bebout, Lester Thompson ; deacons, Elmer Galaher, Wayne Amos, J. L. Amos, Roy Durham, Charles Bedford, Henry Eggers; clerk, Mrs. J. L. Amos; treasurer, Lester Thompson : Bible-school superintendent, Wayne Amos. The enrollment of the Bible school is sixty-three. The value of the church property is $2,000. During the life of

In October, 1906, O. A. Adams, pastor of the church at Ansley, with Louis Epler as singing evangelist, held a meeting in the opera hall at Mason City resulting in an organization with the following officers : Elders, Sherman Knox, Oren Dolen ; deacons, George Chipps, Vannie Reed, William Davis, Ross Rhodes; church clerk, Oren Dolen.

The following preachers have ministered to the church : E. D. Eubank, J. R. Teagarden, William Sumpter, Fred Galiger, Carl Knapp, F. C. Wilson, George P. Brammel. Early in 1907 the church began the erection of a house of worship, and it was- completed in June. It was dedicated June 16th, by State Secretary W. A. Baldwin. The church has maintained a Sunday school, which was for a time under the superintendency of W. T. Whitehead. At times the congregation was without preaching and suffered from removals and the inability to support a pastor. At the present time there are thirty names on the records, with Mrs. R. F. McCloughan, clerk and treasurer, and Mrs. W. T. Whitehead, superintendent of the Sunday school.

The beginnings of the church at Lillian are found in a meeting held by Elder S. A. Kopp in the Lillian schoolhouse. An organization v.as effected December 12, 1906, following the meeting. They called Elder Kopp as their

The following- named persons united to form the organization: Wm. W. Barnes. Mrs. Lorena Barnes, Lura Barnes. Mrs. Alice Bartlett, Eva Bartlett. Ethel Bartlett, Isaac P. Bell, Mrs. ^lary Bell, Jabez Bowman, Mrs. Sarah Bowman, James Dare, Mrs. Mary Dare, S. A. Kopp, Charles H. Leisure. Robert Metzger, \\'illiam F. Myers. Mrs. Kittie Myers. Oliver L. Swick. Mrs. Hope Swick. Later, protracted meetings were held by the pastor and brought in a large number of the young people of the community, most of them young men. At one time the pastor baptized thirty at the Broken l)Ow church. A Piible school has been maintained since the spring before the church was organized. W. W. Barnes serving as its first superintendent.

.A. house of worship was planned and erected on a site adjoining the school grounds, in the fall of 1908, and was dedicated in January following, by N. T. Harmon, pastor of the Broken Bow church. It is a most comfortable building and has become a center of community interest in that portion of the county. Following the death of its pastor, the church was served by E. D. Eubank, Frank Reader, Joseph Lamm, and W. C. Lessley, who is still the [jastor, having served since September, 1914. L'nder his ministry the work has grown and prospered. The present officers are: Elders. W. F. Myers. O. L. Swick. ; deacons. E. H. Myers. S. D. Myers ; clerk and treasurer, D. E. Banning; superintendent of Bible school, William J. Books.

This church has maintained its ]M-eaching service and worship, with the communion, since the beginning, without interruption. Pastorless at times, it yet went steadily forward in the support of worship, never forgetting to assemble on the Lord's day. The success of this work lies especially in its faithful leadership. Maintaining preaching service only on alternate Lord's days, it has nevertheless demonstrated the power of the local rural

The Sargent church came into being as a result of a meeting held by State Evangelist Samuel Gregg in March, 1908. J. H. Currie. of Bradshaw. Nebraska, having business interests and large acquaintance in the Sargent district, asked the state missionary society to consider that field and send this evangelist, whom* he was supporting through the society, to organize a church in that town. The Congregational church was secured for the meeting and the organization resulted, following that meeting. The first officers were : Elders, L. L. Wood. C. C. Davis ; deaco;is. J. D. Crownover, Charles Howland. .\. B. Hartley, W. B. Kenyon; clerk. Zella M. Wood; treasurer. A. C. Davis. Sixty-three persons joined in the new organization, as follows: Allona Wood. Lena Kaohn. Ernest Kaohn. Ross W'^ood. Irma Crownover. Harold Crownover, Kenneth Crownover. Sadie Hesselgesser. Jeannie Kenyon, !Mrs. W. B. Kenyon. A\'. F. Abbott, Mrs. Emma Wyckoff. Mrs. Livia Kaohn. Mrs. W. F. Abbott. O. W. Davis. Mrs. (X \\'. Davis. Florence Debusk. Rufus Manning. Alfred Grim, Mrs. Inez Grim. Mrs Laura Core. James Debusk. Lucy Debusk. Grace Deforest, Mrs. Westopher, Mrs. Forest Abbott. Mrs. Sarah Evans, Elsie Chase, Paul Chase, C. H. Chase, Mrs. C. H. Chase. L. L. Wood. Minerva Wood. W. H. Wood. Zella M. Wood. E. M. Wood. Gustie Wood. Seth Austin. Mrs. J. D. Crownover, J. D. Crownover. A. C. Davis, R. J. Kennedy. A. B. Hartley, Mrs. A. B. Hartley. O. S. Pulliam. W. B. Kenyon, C. Howland. Eliza Brumbaugh. Mrs. C. .V. Liminger. Mrs. Alice Pulliam. Delia Sturm. Mrs. Ella Armstrong, Candace Lawson, Mrs. C. Howland. Robert Hesselgesser. Emma Hesselgesser. J. D. Holt. Augusta Kaohn. Euniqe Kaohn. John Clifton. Sr., John Clifton, Jr., P)essie Hartley, Mabel Hartley.

nacle structure on the main street. A move to build a new house of worship followed, and resulted finally in the purchase and remodeling of the Congregational church building, in which the church had been meeting, maintaining a vfnion Bible school with the Congregationalists. The building purchased is still the home of the church. The membership at this time is 110, and the Bible school has an enrolment of 120. Services are maintained regularly, under the ministry of J. S. Reel, and in connection with the Coburg church, each taking half-time services. The ministers who

Banner Schoolhouse

Rev. Charles A. Shook, pastor of the Ansley church, held a meeting in the Banner schoolhouse in November, 1917. There were twelve conversions, and, on December 26th following, an organization was effected, with fifteen charter members. Regular services have been maintained, and Mr; Shook has preached for them in the afternoon. A good Bible school, now numbering forty-five members, has been kept up, with Frank Sadler as superintendent. The church now numbers twenty-seven and is known as the Banner Christian church.

In March, 1917, Rev. W. C. Lessley, of Broken Bow, and pastor of the churches at Lillian and Anselnio, held a meeting in the Community hall at ]\Iilburn. In spite of bad weather and worse roads, the meetings were well attended and a decided interest was manifested. There were twenty-si.\- conversions, and arrangements were made for the evangelist to visit them regularly on Sunday afternoon each alternate week during the summer and winter. A Bible school was organized, meeting every Lord's day. In February, 1918, Rev. W. C. Lessley held a second meeting, resulting in forty-five conversions. An organization was asked for, and the new converts, with a number of the people of the community who were members of different religious bodies, came together late in February, at which time the Milburn Church of Christ was organized by Rev. Mr. Lessley, with 100 members. Officers were chosen as follows : Elders, Mr. Reynolds and G. W. Simmons; deacons, Bryan Holmes, Mr. Pike, Mrs. Holcomb, and Mr. Daley; church clerk, Aliller Books ; treasurer, Robert Farley. Mr. Reynolds was made superintendent of the Bible school, numbering si.xty to seventy-five, and he still holds that office. Eight members have since been added to the organization and preaching is maintained every alternate Lord's day, morning and evening. Services are still held in the Community hall. The present officers are the same as at the beginning, save that John Kramer is now the treasurer. The congregation looks forward to the erection of a house of worship as soon as war conditions will permit.

In concluding this sketch of the work of the Christian churches - Disciples of Christ - in this county, it should be said that much of the record sources are meagerly kept and in some cases lost entirely. The early preachers were more interested in winning souls to Christ than in keeping accurate account of the history they were making. Many of the matters that would be most interesting in this late account, are entirely omitted. There are a number of places where preaching, and for a time regular, services were held, that did not develop into a formal organization. Such a place is New Helena, where the work was maintained for a time. At this time there is no work there.

In the county the total membership affiliated with the churches is 990. There are nine houses of worship, one of them unoccupied. These, at a moderate estimate of their value, in the light of cost and state of repair, is $27,800. There are nine Bible schools conas best they could to their communicants. They have manifested, always, the spirit of strong conviction and extreme generosity. They have been responsive to all public appeals and been general contributors to the public welfare. They have been party to no denominational factions calculated to disrupt the general harmony of the religious status prevailing in the county. Custer county has had no exhibition of denominational animosity. Good will and harmony prevail to-day ducted regularly, with an enrollment of 715. At this time there are five preachers resident in the county, namely: Elder E. D. Eubank, Broken Bow : Rev. W. C. Lessley, Broken Bow ; Rev. Charles A. Shook. Ansley ; Rev. W. A. Baldwin. Broken Bow : and Rev. J. S. Reel, Sargent. The church at Liberty is disbanded and that at Mason City has no pastoral work.

throughout the county, and this statment is true of the years past. Credit is given to Frank Kelly for the following data concerning Catholic work in the county.

"The Dale mission was established some time in 1882, by Rev. Father Boyle. The first ones to ask for a ])riest. as far as the writer knows, were J. J- Downey and Robert Mc- Carthy. Father Boyle was the first priest, and visited Dale valley in 1882. to administer to the wants of the few families that first settled there. He made the Dale mission a regular station. Mass was said alternately at each house. During Father Hayes' administration the people made preparations to build a church. The building was to be of brick and for the purpose of obtaining the material with whi:h to build the church a brick yard was laid out on one of ]\Ir. ^McCarthy's claims. One hundred thousand bricks were made and burned for the church. Lumber was purchased and hauled from Grand Island, a distance of 150 miles. About this time the people had spent over $800, but on account of the new. railroad which was to be built through this section to the Black Hills, the church was not built at that time, as difficulties arose as to where the church should be located. Some wanted it on their farms or near their homes, while others wanted it built at Merna or Anselmo. The old settlers advocated building it at Dale. Father Hayes' last visit to the mission found matters in a worse condition than ever. In June, 1886, Father Hayes was appointed pastor of the church at O'Connor, Greeley county, and his assistant. Father Haley, was made pastor of Kearney and its missions, which included Dale. To his surprise, when he visited Dale mission, he found a divided people, caused by the disputes as to the location of the church. After a consultation with the principal members of the missions, it was decided to lay the matter before Bishop O'Connor. This was some time in July, 1886. In about a week Bishop O'Connor ordered the church to be built at Dale. It is easy to imagine the joy of the old settlers - J. J. Downey, Robert McCarthy, William Couhig, Con Fleischman. William Walsh, Robert Kelley, George Grove, Chris. Grove, William Brookman, and Charles Michael - when they learned of the bishop's decision. A subscription list was opened and the necessary preparations made to begin work as soon as possible. The bricks already burned were of poor quality and not sufficient in quantity for a brick building. Some were used for the foundation of the residence and church and for the chimneys. The balance were sold, out of which was realized some $400. There was a loss of about the same amount. Nearly all the lumber that had been hauled from Grand Island had been made use of by some kind friends who thought it well to help themselves. A few pieces of dimension lumber, with the shingles, remained for the use for which they had been purchased. The lumber for the church and residence was purchased from Goodman, Bogue & Company, of Kearney, and shipped to Broken Bow, then hauled to Dale by team, the hauling being done by the members of the mission. On the sixth day of November, 1886, Father Haley was appointed the first resident pastor of Dale. He arrived on the above date, at the beginning of one of the worst blizzards 'the state has ever had. For three days he was snowbound at the home of J. J. Downey. When the storm was over, the foundation for the residence was begun. Many hands made light work. In a few weeks the residence was partly completed. Father Haley moved into and lived in it for nearly two years before it was properly plastered. Mass was said in the south half of the residence until the church was built. One fine day in November' - the very last day of the month - several of the old settlers met to break ground for the church. While so doing, George Grove said to Father Haley : "Father, to-day is St. Andrew's day ; would it not be a good idea to name the church St. Andrew's church?' Father Haley paused, and said: 'Men, what do you think?' They all assented, and hence the church of St. Andrew's at Dale received its name. The church was built, but was not completed for several years. Notwithstanding the difficulties under which the church and residence were built, sufficient notes were given by the members to pay the debt, and these were deposited with the lumber company to pay for the lumber. Father Haley governed the parish with success, and in October, 1888, a successful mission was given bv the famous Father Ramen, for which the people gave him $118.25 for one week's work. After this mission. Father Hocheisel was sent to Dale as an assistant to Father