Gage County, Nebraska - Chapter 21: Beatrice Continued, 1918

The public library of the city of Beatrice, which in the afflux of time has become a factor of inestimable importance in the intellectual life of the city, is the direct outgrowth of the activities of an organization known as the Beatrice Literary Club, founded about the year 1890, by Carroll G. Pearse (superintendent of the Beatrice city schools), Ossian H. Brainard, Alexander R. Dempster, Edward Sinclair Smith, Dr. Edward Bates, Leandet M. Peraberton, Samuel S. Peters, Joseph E. Cobbey, Jr., Marion T. Cummings, Hugh J. Dobbs, and others. Prior to the founding of the library, the ladies of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Beatrice had for many years maintained a small circulating library in the city, this being poorly supported by voluntary contributions and paid subscriptions. It had a very limited use, on account of the small number of books of value and of the expense to patrons using it. For several years its sponsors had frequently endeavored to persuade the city to take their library and, with it as nucleus, found a municipal library suported by public tax ; in this, however, they had been uniformly unsuccessful.

Club found itself in the possession of a considerable sum of money, the product of some very successful lecture courses given under its auspices, and resolved to undertake the service to the community of inducing the city council to acept the ofler of the ladies of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, to relieve them of the burden of carrying on a hbrary which met the demands of the community to a very limited degree, and to found a municipal library to which every citizen of Beatrice might, under proper regulations, have full and free access. As a slight inducement to favorable action on the part of the city council, the members of the Literary Club proposed to turn over to the city the money in its treasury, to be used for library purposes. The city council gave ear to the persuasive eloquence of Carroll G. Pearse, president of the Literary Club, and, after canvassing the matter, decided to act favorably upon his suggestions. .: The money tendered by the club was accepted, the books and library effects of the ladies of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union were taken over by the city, and, in June, 1893, the city council, formally and in the manner provided by law, established a free public library for the citizens of Beatrice. A board of directors was thereupon appointed and for the support of the library a levy of two mills on the dollar was made upon the grand assessment roll of the city. The first board of directors was composed of the following well known citizens of the city of Beatrice : Jefferson B. Weston, three years ; Cornelius Jansen, three years; Leander M. Pemberton, one year; Joseph E. Cobbey, one year; Samuel Rinaker, two years; LeRoy F. LaSelle, three years ; George P. Marvin, two years; Charles G. Gilespie, one year; Hugh J. Dobbs, three years.

This board of driectors organized by choosing Jefferson B. Weston, president; Leander M. Pemberton, vice-president; and Cornelius Jansen, secretary. Mary E. Abell, who had been prominent in the affairs of the former library, was elected by the board of directors as the first librarian of the municipal library. Quarters for the new library, together with a reading room, were secured on the upper floor of the new postoffice building on its completion, in October, 1893, and the Beatrice Free Public Library was formally opened to public patronage.

In December, 1902, application was made by the library board to Andrew Carnegie for an allowance out of his millions for the purpose of erecting a suitable building for the library. The application was favorably received by the great iron master, who offered to donate to the city of Beatrice the sum of $20,- 000 for the erection of a library building, provided a suitable site were procured and the city council would agree to make an annual levy upon the taxable valuation of the property of the city for the purpose of supporting the library. The money to purchase the present site of the library building was raised by private subscription, and lots 5 and 6 in block 36 of the original town of Beatrice, the present site of the library, were purchased for $1,600.

George A. Burlinghof , an architect then residing at Beatrice, was selected to draft plans and specifications for the library building. Contracts were let for its construction and the work entered upon in the spring of 1903, almost exactly ten years from the date of founding the library. The work progressed rapidly. The material used was Warrensburg, Missouri, sandstone and terra cotta. While not fire-proof, the building is constructed on the principle known as slow combustion. This building, with its grounds, is now practically included in the Charles Park, and together they form perhaps the most interesting and beautiful spot in Beatrice.

On the completion of the building, Mr. Carnegie, being again appealed to, contributed $3,000 to be used in the purchase of suitable furniture, shelving and other fixtures for the library. The book stacks and furniture were bought of the American Library Association and were duly installed. On the first day of January, 1904, the Beatrice Free Public Library was opened to public patronage in its new and beautiful building.

Since its founding, the patrons of the library have been served by a number of efficient librarians, but by none more able or devoted than the first, Mary E. Abell. This good lady, who had been a citizen of Beatrice for many years, died while serving as librarian, on Saturday, April 4, 1903, and of the original library board, Weston, Cobbey, La- Selle, Marvin and Gillespie also have passed away. But the institution which they were instrumental in organizing remains and will long remain to radiate its beneficent influence throughout the beautiful city which it serves.

Charles Park is situated between Fifth and Sixth streets, immediately south of the old high-school building. It was purchased in part with a bequest in the will of James Charles, a pioneer resident of Beatrice and vicinity, the purchased lots being 1, 2, 3 and 4 in block 36 of the original town of Beatrice. To these were added lots 5 and 6, where the public library stands, and also Elk street between Fifth and Sixth streets, which was vacated by the city council for park purposes, and all that part of the school-house square

Nichols Park is located a little west of the Court street bridge across the Big Blue river. It is a beautiful spot, comprising about three acres of ground between Court street and the river. Most of the land forming it was donated by Martin V. Nichols, an old and highlyesteemed resident of Beatrice.

large assembly hall and the other structures now found there were placed on the grounds by this organization. For a dozen years or more the programs given at this place were well patronized by the people of southeastern Nebraska. Many eminent men and women have here contributed to the instruction, amusement and entertainment of large audiences. Amongst these were Thomas De Witt Talmage, a noted clergyman of the past generation ; ex-President Hayes ; Sam Jones ; ground were the late Daniel Wolford Cook, the Kilpatrick Brothers and S. W. Collins. After its completion, it was donated and by warranty deed conveyed to the Beatrice school district, to be forever dedicated to wholesome school sport, and other scholastic and public gatherings.

The Chautauqua Park comprises about thirty acres of land, for many years known and used as Chautauqua grounds. Beginning about 1888, the Chautauqua organization, composed of several public-spirited citizens of Beatrice, annually for several years gave a Chautauqua program on these grounds. The

Bishop Vincent; Frank Robinson, the travelouge entertainer ; William J. Bryan ; Frances Willard; Congressman Horr; Mary Ellen Lease; Edward Rosewater; Dr. Robert Mc- Intyre; Susan B. Anthony; Dr. Herison, a noted Baptist clergyman, of Chicago; Robert LaFollette; and many others of wide reputation as speakers, lecturers, and entertainers.

After an interesting and profitable record covering many years, the organization, on account of the decrease in attendance, finally suspended operations in debt, and an action was brought against it in the district court of Gage county to foreclose a mortgage on its property, when, by an arrangement with the board of directors, the city of Beatrice intervened, paid the indebtedness, took over the property and converted it into a beautiful city park.

An important adjunct to the public-park system of the city is the use which has recently been made of the Big Blue river as a source of recreation. While always a favored means of entertainment it has grown in favor since W. E. Garrett, in August, 1907, acquired riparian rights on the river above Black Brothers' mill dam and installed a line of pleasure boats, including flat boats for picnickers. For a number of years he has given an annual evening festival on the river locally known as "Venetian Night" which attracts large and appreciative crowds, many coming from considerable distances.

The Nehaunchee canoeing club is an organization of canoe enthusiasts whose purpose is to develop a taste for this fine sport and increase the usefulness of the river as a pleasure resort.

Nothing perhaps shows the steady growth of Beatrice from a mere village of a few hundred inhabitants to a modern city of probably 12,000 people more than its church history. No movement to erect a church building in the village was inaugurated prior to the year 1868. The Methodist Episcopal denomination had possessed organizations in Beatrice, Blue Springs arid other localities in the county prior to that time. Early that year steps were taken to erect in Beatrice a church for general use. The idea seemed to be that it should be open and free to all denominations ; it was in effect a citizens' movement for a free church building. The location for this structure was fixed at the corner of Fourth and Elk streets, lots 7, 8, block 20 of the original town of Beatrice, and work was begun probably in the late spring of 1868. The building planned was to be a stone edifice, approximately twenty-five by fifty feet in dimensions, with a single room, - a plain building both inside and out. The stone was hauled from the quary of Hurd & Guffey, at what is now Holmesville, and the work appears to have progressed rapidly, as things went in those days. Under date of October 28, 1868, the Blue Valley Record says "Our free church edifice is beginning to loom up. Carr, the contractor, is a smasher to drive business. However it is no wonder, for he has the best material in the world to use in his contract." The same paper announces also that Mr. Carr, who superintended the stone work at the capitol building at Lincoln, had located permanently in Beatrice.

As the church approached completion the plan of a free church building was abandoned and the property turned over to the Methodist church organization, which completed it and occupied it for religious services in the early part of 1869. May 17, 1870, to the trustees of the church a deed was given to lot 8, block 20, by J. W. and J. B. Mumford, and on May 23, 1871, J. B. Weston conveyed to the trustees of the church lot 7 in this block, which was afterward occupied by a parsonage. This old stone structure was the first building in Gage county erected for church purposes and dedicated to the worship of Almighty God. For many years, with the parsonage, it stood at the comer of Fourth and Elk streets. Recently both lots have been purchased by the Beatrice school district and the old stone church, which had fallen into - disuse, was wrecked, the parsonage moved away and the lots included in the high-school grounds. This old pioneer church building played a most interesting and useful part in the religious and social life of Beatrice for many years. In addition to the services of the church, Sunday school was held within its walls, marriages performed at its altar, the dead buried from its doors, and many a penitent found rest for a troubled heart through confession of sin and profession of faith.

The old church delighted to open its doors in hospitable welcome to religious, social and educational gatherings. The first confirmation service of the Episcopal church was held here, in April, 1871, and the first meetings of the Presbyterians were in this building, in 1869. Here the writer himself, in the unforgotten past, attended not only the religious services of the church but also debates, lectures, educational meetings, social gatherings. When its rugged walls were taken down, stone by stone, much of the past history of Beatrice may be said to have disappeared forever.

The first Methodist minister to hold service in the church as pastor was W. A. Presson, a veteran of the Civil war. After him , not strictly in order perhaps, were Revs. J. W. Wilson, David Hart, John W. Stewart, and Wesley K. Bean.

The congregation grew rapidly from the first, and the old building became inadequate to its needs. Under the ministry of Rev. Wesley K. Bean, in 1885, steps were taken to erect a new church edifice and parsonage, and as a result of that movement the fine brick house of worship located at the corner of Sixth and Elk streets, known as the Centenary Methodist Episcopal church, was erected, and it was dedicated to the worship of God in the spring of 1886.

About the year 1906 a fine pipe organ was installed in the church, the gift of Mrs. Rachael Kilpatrick and Mrs. Margaret Constance Blakely, both pioneer residents of our county. In 1915 the church was enlarged and otherwise extensively improved. The membership of this church has grown from a mere handful in 1869 to a body of nine hundred communicants. Amongst its organizations are the I^adies' Aid Society, Epworth League, the Home and Foreign Missionary Societies and the Standard Bearers.

Amongst the ministers who have occupied the pulpit of this church and given it power and influence are Wesley K. Bean, John W. Stewart, C. S. Dudley, Duke Slavens, H. T. Davis, Iv. J. Guild, B. F. Thomas, N. A. Martin, Ulysses G. Brown, and Benjamin P. Gaither. The present pastor is Rev. Clyde Clay Cissell.

The First Presbyterian Church of Beatrice was organized March 12, 1859, under the auspices of the Missouri River Presbytery. The charter members in the organization were Mrs. Sarah Ann Blodgett, Mrs. Mary T. Griggs, Miss Anna Griggs, Robert H. Weeden and Mrs. Lydia Weeden. Of these Mrs. Blodgett is the only survivor. The first board of trustees comprised Henry A. La- Selle, Robert H. Weeden and R. L. Blodgett. Mr. lyaSelle was also clerk and treasurer of the church. In 1869 a church edifice thirtyseven by thirty-seven feet in dimensions, brick, two stories, was erected on the southwest corner of Fifth and High streets. It was completed at a cost of about $10,000 and was dedicated as a house of public worship some time in 1870. The first minister of this pioneer church was Benjamin F. McNeil, who was also county superintendent of schools. Following him there came James A. Griffith, Thomas S. Hale, L. W, B. Shryock, W. H. McMeen, H. F. White, A. B. Irving, John W. Mills, William H. Hood, John D. Countermine, William H. Kearns, L. D. Young, N. P. Patterson, and E. C. Lucas, the present pastor. Perhaps no church in the west has been served by an abler, more learned or more devoted line of ministerial leaders. Some of them, having acquired reputation and influence in Beatrice, have been called to broader fields of labor, while the present pastor, with patriotic self-denial, will soon engage in the work of his calling in distant France, during the great world war.

In 1893 the present beautiful church and parsonage were erected, at a cost of $24,000. The membership now exceeds five hundred, the attendance at Sunday school averages two hundred and fifty. The present bench of elders are : Rev. Edgar C. Lucas, Moderator ; F. B. Sheldon, clerk; E. F. Kimmerly, treasurer; Dr. W. C. Purviance, G. H. Van Horn, Charles Elliott, Paul D. Marvin, J. W. Beard, J. R. Spicer, J. E. T. Dickinson, H. A. LaSelle, and Dr. C. A. Spellman. The activities of the church are many and varied. Its societies are the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, Intermediate and Junior Christian Endeavor Societies, Women's Missionary Society, Ladies' Aid Society, Delta Alpha Chapter of Westminster Guild, Life Bearers and Mission Band.

Methodist church and the general services of the church began in that year. The parish was organized and admitted to the union of the diocese in 1873. The minutes of the meeting at which the parish was organized show that S. C. B. Dean was elected senior warden and John E. Smith junior warden; vestrymen, J. W. Carter, Alfred Hazlett, and A. G. Spellman. Of the incorporators only one is now identified with the parish, Mr. John E. Smith, who in 1874 was elected senior warden and who has been annually reelected since that time. The first record in the parish register is the baptism of Sarah Isabella Landy, August 13, 1871, by the Rev. Arthur E. Wilson.

The first rector of the parish was the Rev. Joseph F. Cotton, who continued in charge until 1876. The Rev. Robert W. Jones served as rector from 1877 to 1880, the Rev. William G. Hawkins served from 1880 to 1882 and was succeeded by Rev. C. L,. Fulforth, who remained until 1885; the Rev. Robert Scott took charge of the parish at the beginning of 1886 and remained until 1891 ; Rev. J. O. Davis became rector that year and served until 1895; the Rev. W. P. N. J. Wharton served one year and was succeeded by the present rector, Rev. W. A. Mulligan, in 1896. At the time of the organization, a wooden church was built on the site where the present church now stands. Prior to this the congregation worshiped in a small wooden school-house which stood on the block where the Central ward school now stands. During the rectorship of the Rev. Robert Scott, the present handsome stone church was built, at a cost of about $40,000. The comer stone was laid in 1889 and the church opened for service on Easter Day, 1890. In the year 1892 an excellent pipe organ was installed in the church, this being the first pipe organ in Beatrice. In 1904 the present commodious rectory was built, at a cost approximately of $5,000. In 1908 the parish was cleared of indebtedness, and the church was consecrated June 16th of that year. In 1916 a handsome stone chapel was built in the rear of the church edifice, at a cost of $6,000.

The organizations of the church are the Altar Guild, Daughters of the King, Junior Auxilliary, St. Mary's Auxilliary, Red Cross Auxilliary, and Women's Auxilliary.

The following are men of Christ Church parish who have enlisted in the present world war: J. Edmund C. Fisher, Philip W. Clancy, Allen B. Ellis, Robert J. Emery, Royal Green, Edward Hackstadt, Fulton Jack, Jr., Ernest D. Kees, Clarence F. Kilpatrick, Russell A. Phelps, Samuel E. Roe, Herbert T. Schaefifer, William T. Rogers, John F. Schick, Ralph C. Scott, Frank Hobbs, Donald N. Van Arsdale, George St. Clair Preston, Harold R. Mulligan, CUfford Rockhold, John J. Kilpatrick, Allen W. Mulligan, George W. Maurer, and Harold D. Burgess The Episcopalians have contributed to the beauty of the city of Beatrice in a memorable way by the erection of their stone church. No building in the city compares with it in architectural grace and churchly character. From the surrounding country on every hand, the white, beautiful spire of this sacred edifice forms the most impressive object in the landscape.

The First Christian Church of Beatrice, Nebraska, was organized the first Lord's Day in October, 1872. Rev. R. C. Barrow, laboring under the General Christian Missionary Convention, had visited the place at intervals prior to this date and baptized a few persons. Among the number thus brought together were Dr. H. M. Reynolds and wife and Mrs. Emily O. Snow, and these with a few others formed the nucleus of the congregation. Among these were John C. Past and wife, from Newcastle, Indiana; William Bradt and wife, from Rockford, Illinois; and John L. Rhodes and wife, from North English, Iowa. In the fall of 1872 John C. Past attended the state missionary convention, at Lincoln, to secure aid in holding a meeting and through this means effect an organization ; the state board recommended that the brethren at Beatrice proceed to hold a meeting and if possible establish an organization, and the services of John W. Allen were secured to hold a protracted meeting, which was commenced at once. After about two weeks a church was organized with about twenty members. They were J. C. Past, Mrs. J. C. Past, William Bradt, Mrs. William Bradt, Dr. H. M. Reynolds, Mrs. Reynolds, John L. Rhodes, Mrs. John Iv. Rhodes, Edwin Pheasant, Mrs. Edwin Pheasant, Mr. and Mrs. Headley, G. W. Hinkle, John Ellis, Mrs. Dr. C. C. Sprague, Mrs. Chesney, Mrs. A. L,. Snow, A. W. Bradt, Mrs. A. W. Bradt, and Miss Maggie Murgatroyd. J. C. Past and William Bradt were elected elders, and Dr. H. M. Reynolds and John L. Rhodes were made deacons. The elders and deacons constituted the official board. The first meetings were held in Reynolds & Townsend's Hall, in the second story of the building at the northwest corner of Court and Fifth streets.

In 1874 a movement was started to build a church and $250 was paid for a lot at the northeast comer of Sixth and Ella streets. A church building was built, twenty-eight by forty-two feet, with an addition in the rear for vestry rooms, ten by twelve feet and a baptistry under the pulpit, at a cost of about $2,000. But the grasshoppers came and destroyed the crops before the building' was completed, leaving the organization with a debt of seven or eight hundred dollars, because the people could not make good their pledges. In 1889 an addition was built on the north, thirty-two by forty-four feet, giving the building a T shape, with a seating capacity of five hundred. The same year they purchased the two lots at the east end of the block, where the present church building stands, and considered the construction of a new church on this site. In 1891 the United States government purchased, for a postoffice site, the lot on which the church stood, and this necessitated the removal of the church building to the lots at Seventh and Ella streets. A basement story was built level with the street under the entire building and the parsonage was moved to the north of the church. This was the home of the congregation until 1907, when the present beautiful edifice was erected, at a cost of $40,000.

church is over twelve hundred. The number enrolled in the Sunday School is twelve hundred, with an average attendance of five hundred and twenty-five.

The first minister was the Rev. J. Madison Williams, now of Des Moines, Iowa. Those following him were Samuel Lowe, Joseph Lowe, William G. Springer, Eli Fisher, R. H. Ingram, J. D. Dabney, A. D. McKeever, F. A. Bright, Edgar Price, J. E. Davis, and C. F. Stevens, the present pastor, who has been here about six years.

The present official board is composed of J, L. Rhodes, honorary elder; D. W. Carre, H E. Sackett,.W. H. Davis, H. S. Souders, Henry Essam, J. L. Riecker, F. K. Klein, O. J Lyndes, O. A. Burket, elders ; and A. H Voortman, Henry Fishbach, William Thomas, H. M. Smethers, P. J. Smethers, Henry Williamson, F. E. McCracken, E. L. Hevelone, W. W. Duncan, N. Thompson, Fordyce Graf, John Connor, D. G. McGaffey, H. S Vaught, and J. W. Baumgartner, deacons W. H. Davis is superintendent of the Sunday school. There are three Christian Endeavor Societies, senior, intermediate, and junior. There are also the Young Ladies' Circle, the Triangle Club, and the Ladies' Aid Society.

A society of the United Brethren church was organized December 14, 1874, with the Rev. W. H. Shepherd as minister in charge. Meetings were first held, on alternate Sundays, in the Baptist church, which stood where the Knox livery barn is now, on Market street between Fifth and Sixth streets. On the 20th day of October, ,1876, a church was organized with the following named members: Elias Rhodes, Margaret Rhodes, Mrs. Eli Miller, Mrs. Plowe, Mrs. Elizabeth Salts, Michael Beam, Mrs. Michael Beam, Elizabeth Meyers, Mary Reed, Mr. and Mrs. A. Q. Miller. The first board of trustees was composed of Elias Rhodes, Leander Swain, Michael Beam, and A. Q. Miller. Of the charter members Mrs. Eli Miller is the only one now residing in Beatrice. In 1875, by devise of Mrs. Elizabeth N. Joseph, of Aetna, Ohio, the church came into possession of one hundred and sixty acres of land near Be- atrice, which they traded with WilHam Lamb for building them a church at the southeast corner of Eighth and Ella streets. This building was enlarged in 1891 and again in 1905. The church has a membership of eighty, the Sunday school of ninety-one. The ministers who have served this congregation are W. H. Shepherd, J. H. Embree, Byron Beal, Rev. Aumiller, Robert Floyd, Rev. Landis A. Oliver, C. O. Robb, S. E. Floyd, William Burwell, Philip Surface, J. M. Haskins, E. F. Bowers, F. M. Bell, E. T. Root, J. Powers, F. M. Miller, W. F. Brink, E. A. Sharp, T. P. Cannon, W. S. Lynde, T. S. Swan, H. F. Hoffman, and S. S. Turley, the latter since February, 1918.

The Trinity Lutheran Church was organized December 9, 1883. The corner stone of the brick church belonging to this organization, at the comer of Ninth and Elk streets, was laid November 9, 1884, and the church completed and dedicated in December, 1885. It had a membership of forty-five. The ministers who have served this organization are George H.- Albright, W. L. Remsburg, J. L. Motchman, W. W. Hess, J. A. Lowe, Roy M. Badger, and A. M. Reitzel. Mr. Reitzel came to the church in 1915; recently he resigned and the pastorate at this writing is vacant. The church has a membership of two hundred and fifty, and a Sunday-school enrollment of one hundred and forty, with J. H. Fletcher, superintendent.

The first Catholic to settle in Gage county was Joseph Graff, who, in 1860, located on a claim four miles west of Beatrice. At that time the nearest priest was in Nebraska City, sixty-five miles away. Father Hoffmayer visited Gage county in 1859 and mass was offered in the log cabin of Joseph Graff, in a room sixteen by sixteen feet, and three of Mr. Graff's children were baptized. The next priest to visit Gage county was Father Ferdinand Lechleitner, who was located in Crete. He first visited Beatrice September 15, 1874, and again December 6, 1874; May 4, and June 15, 1875; May 16, 1876; May 29 and October 30, 1877. On all the above dates he held service at the residence of Joseph Graff. In July or August of 1877 Father Lechleitner presided at a meeting held at Mr. Graff's, at which it was arranged to build a church. A lot was then purchased in the block north of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific depot, on South Sixth street, and a church forty by forty-six feet was erected thereon at a cost of $1,000. It was dedicated in 1878, and this is the first Catholic church in Gage county. The members of the organization at that time were Joseph Graff, Francis Leonard, Franz Grussel, John Russell, Thomas Grace, Anna and Marie Samletzki, Joseph Meyer, Charles Hentges and wife, Frank Hiebeler, and Charles A. Graff. The church was called St. Joseph's and was attached to the Tecumseh church until 1884. Down to this time it had been served by the following named priests: Father McNally, Father Madden, Father John Crowley, and Father A. Havestadt, who held mass occasionally. In the spring of 1884 lots were purchased at the northeast corner of Sixth and High streets and the old church was moved to this location. Father A. Havestadt was the first resident priest, 1884-1886, and was followed by Father Thomas Quick, 1886-1889. The first parsonage was built in 1885. At the close of 1886 the number of families within the pale of the church was one hundred and eleven, or five hundred and ten souls. At the close of 1887 there were one hundred and sixty-six families; at the close of 1888, one hundred eighty-six families, or three hundred and eighty-seven persons over eighteen years of age and four hundred and eighty under that age. In 1888 a school room, thirty-eight by twenty-two feet, was added to the old church. In September, 1889, a home was opened for Ursuline Sisters, who had come from York, Nebraska, to take charge of the school. It was called St. Joseph's Convent. In December, 1889, Father A. J. Copellen assumed charge of the parish. In 1890 a tract of ten acres of land was purchased three miles north of the city, and this was consecrated as a Catholic burying ground. September 1, 1893, Father Copellen was succeeded by Rev. Michael Merkl. During the hard years of 1894-1895-1896-1897, membership in the church decreased fifty per cent.; the sisters gave up the school, and at the close of 1898 there were but one hundred and thirty families. Father Merkl was succeeded by Father Petrasch, who came in 1907. He proceeded to tear down the old church, and the present brick church, school house and parsonage were erected. In 1912 Father E. Boll succeeded Father Petrasch, but the latter returned for a few months in 1916, when Father Boll left. In December, 1916, Father Bickert, the present priest, took charge of the parish. There are now one hundred and seventy-five families on the church roll, and eighty-four pupils in the school, which is in charge of three Dominican Sisters, from Racine, Wisconsin. Philip Graff, Henry Lang, John Plubeck, John Scharton, Hugh Carmichael, and Arthur Woelke constitute the present board of trustees. The following, organizations affiliate with the work of the church : Knights of Columbus, Society of the Altar, Sewing Circle, Ladies' Social Club, and Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality.

The First Baptist Church of Beatrice was organized December 6, 1873, and for a while it was served by Rev. J. N. Webb, the state supreintendent of Baptist churches. June 27, 1874, Rev. Thomas J. Arnold became its pastor. He was succeeded April 9, 1876, by Rev. L. P. Nason, who, in June, 1877, was succeeded by Rev. L. D. Wharton, and the latter was succeeded, November 1, 1878, by Rev. George Scott., The first church building was where the Knox livery bam now stands, on the north side of Market street, between Fifth and Sixth streets. About 1880 it was moved to the north side of Ella street, between Fourth and Fifth streets, where Kimball's laundry now stands. A few years afterward this church was moved to Grant street, between Seventh and Eighth streets. About twelve years ago the church was again moved, to

Sixth street, and placed on the alley, occupying what is now the southeast comer of Charles Park. When it was decided to locate the park upon these lots the city bought the old church property and paid the Baptists $6,000 for it, and they in turn purchased the Unitarian church building, on the northwest corner of Sixth and Pligh streets, which they have since occupied.

The charter members of the church were John Kerlin, Elizabeth Kerlin, Mary C. Kerlin, S. A. Smith, Rhoda Smith, Josiah A. Smith, T. J. Smith, and Job Buchanan, who was also first church clerk. The trustees were John Kerlin, S. A. Smith, and Job Buchanan. The deacons of the church now are Grififith Evans, R. Davis, George Sexton, Henry Fairchild, H. M. Garrett, Fred Lloyd, F. N. Crangle, C. H. Aylesworth. The board of trustees are G. W. Thomas, Walter D. Wright, Dan Crosby, Walter Andrews, Argre Fryer; the church clerk is S. R. Jamison.

St. John's Lutheran Church of Beatrice was organized in 1880, with fifteen members. It met in various halls until the erection of its church at the corner of Fifth and Bell streets. The first minister was the Rev. Lynch. The present minister. Rev. Leonard Poeverlein, has served the church continuously since 1883. The church has a membership of fifty families. Fred Damrow, Julius Hatter, and Fred Paul are trustees, John Roschefski is church clerk, and F. S. Kuhl is treasurer.

The German Methodist Church, located at the northwest comer of Eighth and Scott streets, was organized in 1886, and a church was erected in 1887, at a cost of $2,000. It had a membership of twelve when organized and now has twenty-four. As pastors E. T. Treibler, G. M. Zwink, John Lauer, C. G. Meyer, Conrad Eberhart, John Mueller, and Edward Beck have served this church. Rev. Edward Beck being the present pastor and having been with the church since 1904. M. Buehler, Albert Eckel, and Henry Wipperman constitute the board of trustees.

The Church of the Brethren merits definite consideration in this work. This branch of the Brethren church, located at the corner of Fourteenth and Grant streets, was organized in 1881, and the church was built in 1888, at a cost of $3,000. Its ministers have been J. E. Young, J. H. Mohler, L. D. Bosserman, A. D. SoUenberger, A. P. Musselman, and W. W. Blough. At the present time the deacons are Charles H, Price, E. J. Kessler, and C. J. L,ichty ; the trustees are C. H. Price and E. J. Kessler; the treasurer is Miss Rebecca Essam, and the clerk is E. J. Kessler. The church has a membership of ninety-five.

Interest in Christian Science was first aroused in Beatrice in the fall of 1884. A lady who had been confined to her bed several months was invited by a friend to visit her in Boston, Massachusetts. While there she was induced to take Christian Science treatments, with the result that she was healed. Upon returning to her home (Beatrice) she told of the wonderful "new religion" in Boston known as Christian Science, and of its healing power. Her recovery and the story she told interested others suffering from diseases that the doctors had pronounced hopeless. Several decided to go to Boston, and in writing to Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of

Christian Science, were informed that a student of hers just finishing metaphysical college would be in Omaha in a few weeks. As soon as this student arrived in Omaha, Mrs. Elizabeth Buswell, given up by the doctors as incurable, went to her, in May, 1885, and she was healed in a week's treatment. This was the reason for many others going. All came . back healed or greatly benefited.

Within a few weeks, when it was sufficiently known that the new method of healing, called Christian Science, purported to be a practical and scientific application of the truth taught and practiced by Jesus and His disciples, a number who had been interested and benefited began meeting together in the different homes. The first public meeting was held in the Masonic Hall - First National Bank Building - Easter Sunday, 1886. A charter was granted from Boston May 15, 1886. November 24, 1888, services were moved to what was then known as Gibbs Hall and on this date the First Church of Christ, Scientist, was organized and incorporated under the laws of the state. This was the first Church of Christ, Scientist, organized west of the Missouri river.

In the winter of 1890, on account of fire, the church was obliged to move again, this time taking up quarters in the LePoidevin Block. In April of the following year (1891) it became possible to secure the Brethren church edifice, located in the 1200 block of Court street. This last move proved to be an important one for the growth of the church, for shortly after locating here every department of work advanced rapidly. At a meeting of the board of directors, held June 14, 1891, it was decided to purchase a lot at the corner of Ninth and Elk streets, for the purpose of some day erecting a building. This was successfully accomplished the following month, on July 31st. It was secured from Maggie C. Blakely for a consideration of thirteen hundred dollars.

The next important step in the march of progress was the buying of the Brethren church, in the fall of 1900. It was planned that this church building was to be moved to the lot purchased, but in working out this program it developed that a more desirable location presented itself, which resulted in the directors disposing of their first purchase and buying a lot, fifty by one hundred and fifty feet, on the corner of Eighth and Ella streets. This was purchased from Cora M. Woolridge, September 22, 1900, consideration being eight hundred dollars.

In March, 1901, meetings were again held in the LePoidevin Block, while the church edifice was being moved to its new location. There it was remodeled, enlarged and refurnished throughout. This home was dedicated May 26, 1901, and remained unchanged, except for a few minor improvements, until September, 1916, when it again became possible to remodel and enlarge the structure. A beautiful foyer was added, and several large columns were placed at the entrance, which seems to be so characteristic of Christian Science churches. Meetings were resumed in the church edifice November 26, 1916. Services were held in the Commercial Club rooms while the work was being done.

Three authorized teachers have taught Christian Science in Beatrice. The first class taught west of Chicago was conducted in Beatrice, October 5, 1885.

The history of this church would be incomplete without mention being made of the nation-wide attention which was directed toward Beatrice in February and March, 1893, when a student and teacher of Christian Science was indicted, under the statutes of the state of Nebraska, for practicing medicine without legal authority. Quoting from one of the local papers, dated February 27, 1893, we find the following records made of the case: "The case of E. M. Buswell, who is charged with practicing medicine without legal authority, will be called up in the district court tomorrow. It is a peculiar case, perhaps unlike any" that has gone before in the courts, and it will excite widespread interest." Quoting again from the same paper, dated March 5, 1893 : "The great trial is over. The jury in the case of E. M. Buswell, charged with illegal practicing of medicine, which went out at eighty thirty yesterday afternoon, came in about nine o'clock in the evening with a verdict of acquittal. The defendant was thereupon discharged. The verdict is generally regarded as what might have been expected in the face of the evidence presented." This was a victory for Christian Science which was felt throughout the United States and wrote a memorable page for the growth of the* church here, and for the cause.

The history of this church is like that of most churches which started in the west - the record of a small beginning, a slow but sturdy progress, perseverance in the face of discouraging obstacles, defiance at times that seemed almost defeat. But what is here today is a testimonial of Courage - Faith - Hope - Eove.

The Seventh Day Adventists of Beatrice held their first meeting July 7, 1894, and they organized a church in August, 1895, with twenty-two members. The meetings were held in homes of the members until the church was built, in 1897, on the northeast corner of Ella and Tenth streets. The first minister was Elder J. H. Rogers. The local elder is A. E. Putnam. George Stout is treasurer, and Mrs. A. E. Putnam is clerk.

The First Congregational Church of Beatrice was organized June 1, 1884. The charter members were J. M. and Matilda Wilber, Dr. Edward S. Bates and Jennie N. Bates, Gray Warner and Carrie L. Warner, W. B. Hotchkiss, Lewis R. Thomas, Ruth A. Thomas, H. S. Cox, A. R. Dempster, Jennie C. Dempster, Dr. Calvin Starr, Dr. Julia C. Starr, Mary Starr, E. E. Walker, Bessie Yule Walker, Henry D. Gates, Nellie W. Gates, Clara Bewick Colby. At a business meeting held July 20, 1884, steps were taken to provide the organization with a house of worship. On October 10, 1884, the church purchased, from Isaac N. McConnell, lots 1 and 2, block 6 of the original town of Beatrice, and began the erection of a commodious church building on the east seventy feet of these lots. It was pushed to completion and on Thursday, June 30, 1885, it vvas formally dedicated to the public worship of Almighty God as a Congrega- lional church. From that date to about the 7th day of August, 1914, it was occupied by the Congregationalists of Beatrice as a house of worship. Prior to the 7th day of August, 1914, the church acquired by purchase lots 9, 10, 11, 12, block 29 of Cropsey's Addition to Beatrice, as a more suitable location, and on that date, by warranty deed, conveyed the old church property to the Evangelical Lutheran church, which has since owned and occupied it as their church. Long prior to that date been fortunate in the character and abihty of the men who have served it as pastors during the thirty-four years of its existence. Its first regular pastor was William O. Wheedon, who served from 1884 to 1886, when he was forced to resign on account of ill health. His successor, E. H. Ashman, held the pastorate from August 18, 1886 to February 1, 1888, and was succeeded by E. St. Clair Smith, February 24, 1888, who very ably served the church as its pastor to July 31, 1892, when he the church had sold the west seventy feet of their property to Rev. E. S. Smith, one of its early pastors, who erected thereon a dwelling which he occupied as a parsonage during his pastorate. The property is now owned and occupied as a home by Miss Marie Upson. Following the sale of its property to the Lutherans, the church began the erection of a handsome brick structure on the lots purchased by it in Cropsey's Addition, on the corner of Sixth and Grant streets. This church was completed at a cost of approximately $20,000, and on the 4th day of June, 1916, it was, with appropriate ceremonies, dedicated to the worship of God.

resigned to accept a charge in Indiana. The church thereupon extended a call to George W. Crofts, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and for twelve years this good and saintly man was not only a forceful factor in the Congregational church of Beatrice but also in the churches of the state and in the community at large. No minister of the Gospel ever exemplified in a greater degree the graces of its precepts than the poet-preacher George W. Crofts. In 1912 he passed to his reward, and all that is mortal of this beloved man lies in the cemetery at Council Bluffs. November 2, 1904, Mr. Crofts was succeeded by Edwin Booth, Jr., who continued in the pastorate until May 15, 1908, when he resigned, to take charge of the First Congregational church at Norfolk, Nebraska, of which he is still the pastor. He was succeeded by Fred h. Hall, whose ministry terminated July 1, 1910. Rev J. W. Femer, of Shenandoah, Iowa, was called to the service September 23, 1910, and resigned November 8, 1914, to accept a call to the First Congregational church of Aurora, Nebraska. He was succeeded by the present pastor, Victor F. Clark.

Gage county has had one religious immigration, and the story of that immigration is set forth in the following narrative, prepared for this work by the Hon. Peter Jansen :

"Mennonites, called after the founder of the church, Menno Simons, a former Roman Catholic priest in Holland. Principal characteristics : Baptize only adults, upon confession of faith; opposed to all war, like the Quakers ; avoid law suits ; members are to be strictly honest; do not make oath, but affirm.

"They are called 'Prussian Mennonites,' which is a misconception. Their ancestors came from the Netherlands (Holland) to Prussia in search of religious liberty, especially freedom from military service, which was abrogated during the early '70s of the past century, after the Franco-Prussian war (and to avoid military service were forced out of Prussia.)

"At the instigation of Cornelius Jansen and his son Peter, the latter having settled in Jefferson county in 1874, a delegation visited Nebraska during the summer of 1876,, and finally selected Gage county as the most promising and suitable place for their settlement. A dozen or more families moved to Nebraska that fall and located temporarily in Beatrice, then a frontier town of a thousand or so inhabitants. By the spring of 1877 thirty to forty families had arrived and settled within a radius of ten miles of Beatrice; most of them bought farms and grass land at from six to ten dollars per acre. The names of the most prominent families were Penner, Wiebe, Reimer, Thimm, Goosen, Claussen, Janzen,

"They built a commodious meeting house a few miles west of town, and later another one in this city. Still later they bought the old Kilpatrick church, about ten miles west of Beatrice. All three meetings are under one bishop, Gerhard Penner, now eighty-two years old, living in West Beatrice.

"At the time America entered the world war they of course were subject to the selective draft, like all other citizens ; however, the government recognized their conscientious scruples against bloodshed, and designated for them, as well as for the Quakers and Dunkards, noncombatant service, under the new military law, by which they can serve their country without violating their conscience."

The Beatrice school district was the first district organized in Gage county. An unfortunate fire which, in 1902, destroyed the old Masonic Temple building, destroyed also all the previous records of the city schools, the superintendent at that time having his office in that building. The records of the county superintendent's office show that the Beatrice school district was organized May 10, 1868, and the school district is there numbered 15, but that date cannot represent the actual date of the organization of the district. About that time all the school districts in the county, some thirty in number, were put through a reorganization process, and numbered. The numbering began with the northeast corner of the county and without respect to the date on which the districts were organized, the aim apparently being to secure uniformity in numbering only.

Beatrice was the oldest community in the county and the most compact. Its founders were at the head of public aflfairs and they showed great aptitude in advancing the interests of the town. One of the first officers elected by the colony was the county superintendent of schools, and this office, through every change of the law was perpetuated in some form. It is certain that Beatrice was an organized school district under the laws of the territory of Nebraska as early as 1862, when the old frame school building was erected and the first public school was taught by Oliver Townsend.

The area of the school district in those early days is a matter of conjecture. In 1858 the territorial legislature passed an act making each government township a school district, and, under this statute, what is now Midland township then constituted a. single school district, with the village of Beatrice included. This statute, however, provided for the formation of sub-districts in the township, and by various subdivisions and legislative enactments the area of the original district was reduced to its present proportions. In addition to the corporation itself, Beatrice school district now embraces several tracts of farm land, some adjacent to the city and some not.

The school history of Beatrice begins with a subscription school taught by Miss Frances Butler, in 1860, in a small frame building belonging to Fordyce Roper. In 1861 Wealthy Tinkham (later Mrs. Joseph HoUingworth) also taught a subscription school in Beatrice. After the erection of the old single-room, frame school house in 1862, on the block of ground dedicated by the founders of the city to school purposes, the public school of Beatrice became a permanent institution. This pioneer school house, the first school building in Gage county, was for many years freely used for nearly every sort of gathering, and it continued to afford the chief educational facility in Gage county until the year 1870.

It first became necessary to employ two teachers for the growing village in the year 1869. That autumn and the following winter a Mr. Hodson taught the older pupils, some thirty-five in number, in the old frame school house, and Mary L. Blodgett (later Mrs. William' A. Wagner) taught the primary classes in an upstairs room in an old stone structure at the corner of Fourth and Market streets, on lot 12, block 65 of the original townsite. The Beatrice Clarion, the second newspaper printed in Beatrice, and the immediate predecessor of the Beatrice Express, occupied the ground floor of the building, below the schoolroom. Miss Blodgett's school numbered fifty-six pupils, and they, with those under Mr. Hodson's instruction, comprised the school population of the entire Beatrice school district.

In 1870 a small two-story, brick school house was erected at the corner of Eighth and Ella streets, on lots 9 and 10, block 33 of the original townsite. The building originally cost about $5,000, and, as first planned, contained four schoolrooms, two on the first and two on the second floor. Later a two-story addition was built on the north, comprising two fair sized schoolrooms, and an entry was constructed on the south, from which a stairway led to the upper floor.

This was the first school building of any pretentions in Beatrice. It was both a grade and a high school and was used as such for many years. By December 1, 1870, the two ground floor rooms of this building had been so far completed as to permit their use for the opening of the winter term of school, with H. J. Chase as principal and Mary L. Blodgett as primary and intermediate teacher. All told there were about one hundred pupils in the school, nearly equally divided between the two instructors. Mr. Chase, the principal of this early school, performed a man's work as a teacher of the older pupils. There was almost no such thing as classification, but he made a serious effort to elevate the Beatrice schools to something more than an ordinarydistrict school. The most advanced subjects taught were higher arithmetic, algebra, bookkeeping, grammar, and physical geography. The writer was a pupil of Mr. Chase, and it affords him pleasure to record his appreciation of this scholarly young teacher of that early day.

On the 5th day of January, 1878, this historian entered upon his duties as superintendent of the schools of Beatrice. At that time the old frame school house was still in use, as a primary school. In the following year another small frame school room was erected among the cottonwoods and maples at the northeast corner of the school-house square, and this also was devoted to primary instruction. By the opening of the fall term of 1879 the schools had been as carefully graded as circumstances permitted, and a printed outline course of study placed in the hands of the teachers. The board of education then consisted of Thomas H. Harrison, president; Oliver Townsend, clerk ; H. W. Parker, treasline Elwood, of Los Angeles, California. The enrollment for the school year in all departments was six hundred and eighty pupils.

This illy constructed first high-school building served its purpose until 1884, when, upon the completion of a modem, high-school building, it was demolished and every vestige of its existence effaced. The new building was erected at a cost to the Beatrice school urer; Peter Shaffer, Benjamin Palmerton, and O. N. Wheelock. The teachers were Hugh J. Dobbs, superintendent; Fannie B. Outcalt, assistant in the high school ; Henry N. Blake, head of the grammar department; and S. W. Dodge, Amelia Marston, Mary F. Price, Mary C. F. Blake, and Mirian Blake (Mrs. R. J. Kilpatrick) as the grade teachers. At the close of the spring term of 1880 the first graduating exercises of the Beatrice schools were held, the graduates being Oliver B. Gessell, Ida Lumbeck, (both deceased) and Carodistrict of $40,000, where the old frame school house had stood since 1862, and on its occupation, in the fall of 1884, it became the center of the educational system of the city of Beatrice.

When the present high-school building was erected this old building became a grade school for the central portion of the city. But no change of destiny can rob it of the simple dignity of its proportions or minimize its record of scholastic usefulness. It stands in the center of the old school-house square and dom- inates beautiful Charles Park, the public library and its other immediate surroundings, in a way that satisfies the mind as to what a building with its history should be.

In the year 1908 the qualified electors of the Beatrice school district, at a special election called for that purpose, voted to issue the bonds of the district in the sum of $80,000 for the purpose of erecting a high-school building, and in 1909, the present high-school building was erected, pursuant to plans and specifications prepared by architect Richard W. Grant. It stands at the comer of Fifth and Elk streets, an imposing, three-story structure with a basement. The original cost of the site, building and furniture was $81,886.00.

The remaining school buildings of the city of Beatrice are as here noted : The Harrington school building was constructed in 1885- 1886, at a cost of approximately $7,500; the South school building was constructed in 1886, at a cost of $8,000 (bonds) ; the East school building and the West school building, built on the same plan, were constructed in 1888, at a cost of $11,000 each (bonds) ; the Belvidere school building, at first one room, later two, was constructed in 1889; the Fairview school building and Glenover school building, built on the same plan, were constructed in 1891, at a cost of $7,500 each (bonds) ; addition to the West school building, four rooms, constructed in 1916, cost $13,000.

But the marshaling of physical assets, however impressive the array, can at most indicate only the wealth and power of the community. They are not the glory of our schools. For this we must look to the character of the men and women who here have received their training for the affairs of life. Measured by this standard alone the record is most excellent. Students from the public schools of Beatrice are to be found everywhere in the world of work ; they honor the professions as lawyers, physicians, preachers, teachers, and they swell the ranks of those who, in the great world war, are fighting for human liberty.

The heads of the Beatrice city schools, beginning with Hodson in 1869, are H. J. Chase, Charles B. Palmer, John Ellis, John N. Fuller, H. h. Wagner, Mrs. Clara B. Colby, John N. Rhodes, Hugh J. Dobbs, L. B. Shryock, William H. Elbright, Carroll G. Pearse, J. W. Dinsmore, W. H. Beeler, Ossian H. Brainard, W. L. Stephens, C. A. Fulmer, E. J. Bodwell, and A. J. Stoddart.

Some of the men who have brought renown to the Beatrice public schools because they were at one time connected therewith are as follows: Carroll G. Pearse, superintendent back in the '80s and early '90s, has since been superintendent of schools in Omaha and Milwaukee, is now president of the Milwaukee Normal school, and is considered one of thefew foremost educators of America. W. L. Stephens, superintendent of schools in the '90s, has since been superintendent of the city schools at Lincoln, and is at present in a similar position at Long Beach, California. J. W. Crabtree, one-time principal of the Beatricehigh school, has since passed from normalschool presidencies to the highest position in the National Educational Association, and as its secretary wields an influence undoubtedlygreater than any other educator in America.. In later years, C. A. Fulmer, for five years,, and E. J. Bodwell, for nine years superintendent, have placed the schools at the top in thestate of Nebraska. A. J. Stoddart is now superintendent, and the future will undoubtedly see the present standard maintained. In addition to these, Beatrice has enjoyed the services of many distinguished men and women who have gone far and wide through other fields. No chronicle of the Beatrice schools would be complete without mentioning Miss Juletta O. Rawles, who has been assistant principal of the high school during a period, of time of such duration that the community will long know and feel the good effects of her fine personality.

Through the years old residents have seen. the number of teachers grow from a small nucleus of two or three until we now havetwenty-two in the high school and forty-eight in the grades ; and the school enrollment grow from a few pupils in one or two rooms until last year we had 1109 boys and 1124 girls enrolled in the schools. The high school ranks third in size in the state, having now an enrollment of 490. The physical plant has grown from one little building of one room until we now have eight ward buildings and one big central high-school building. In addition to this, through the public-spiritedness of some of the citizens of Beatrice, we have the finest athletic park in the west.