Kearney, Nebraska - Buffalo County, Nebraska, and Its People : a Record of Settlement, Org (part 2 of 2)

'"The territory now included in Kearney Circuit has been mostly settled in the last three years. The first religious organization made took place at Gibbon in October, 187 1. Rev. A. G. White, presiding elder of Omaha District, preached in La Barre Hall on that occasion and organized a class of twelve persons and appointed Brother Aaron Ward leader. Two days later Brother White visited the family of Judge A. Collins, living at what has since become Kearney Junction. Notice was immediately circulated among the few settlers of the vicinity that religious service would be held in the house of Judge Collins. In the evening a congregation of thirty persons was assembled in the parlor, and Brother White preached to them, and Brother Collins assisted in the service. A class was then organized, composed of Asbury Collins, Louisa E. Collins, H. E. A. Sydenham (wife of Moses H. Sydenham), Alfred M. Gay and Hannah Jay. A, Collins was appointed leader. Brother Collins is a local elder, formerly a member of

Iowa Conference, but disabled by protracted sickness and compelled to desist from public speaking on account of ill health. But his efificient co-operation both here and elsewhere has contributed largely to the prosperity of the church.

"These classes were then attached to Grand Island Circuit, and Rev. 'M. A. Fairchild, the preacher in charge, was instructed to give them preaching and pastoral care as he had opportunity. At a quarterly conference held at Wood River Station, on the Union Pacific Railroad, December 31, 1871, a board of trustees was appointed for Kearney Junction, composed of A. Collins, A. M. Gay and H. E. A. Sydenham. In February, 1872, Judge Collins organized a ^lethodist Episcopal Sunday school at Kearney Junction and held it in his own parlor.

"At the annual conference held at Nebraska City, March 20, 1872, this part of the work was retained with and formed part of the Grand Island Circuit. But the demands for ministerial labor were so great that the pastor could not supply them, and the presiding elder, by the request of the people and the consent of the pastor at Grand Island, divided the work June 15, 1872, and called the western part Kearney Junction Circuit and appointed Rev. William Morse pastor. The new circuit included at this time forty-fi\'e members, divided into three classes, and located respectively at Wood River, Gibbon and Kearney Junction. Also a Sabbath school at the latter place. Brother Morse labored faithfully the remainder of the year and enjoyed some prosperity. And at the close of the conference year, April 18, 1873, he reported a membership of seventyfive. At this conference the charge was renamed Kearney Circuit, and left to be supplied, and Rev. D. Allen Crowell, a supernumerary of Erie Conference, was appointed pastor.

"During the conference year just closed (1874), covering a period of nearly eighteen months" (owing to the change of time of holding the sessions of the annual conference from April to October), "this charge has enjoyed some prosperity. The membership, including probationers, has increased during the year from 75 to 157, and owing to the increase of population and the growth of the church, the number of preaching places have increased from three to six. At Kearney a neat church has been built, 30 by 50 feet in size, with a protecting tower and bell, at a cost of nearly $4,000. At the conference held in Omaha October i, 1874, the charge was again divided. Gibbon and Erie being set off, and Kearney Circuit was left to be supplied."

If the local record is correct, the first trustees were A. Collins, A. M. Gay and H. E. A. Sydenham ; the charter members, Asbury Collins, Louisa E. Collins, H. E. A. Sydenham, Alfred AI. Gay and Hannah Jay. The only surviving member of the original charter members is Mrs. Louisa E. Collins, widow of Rev. Asbury Collins, deceased, who still resides in Kearney. In 1877 the church was moved from its original location to its present situation on the corner of Twenty-second Street and Avenue A. It was enlarged during the pastorate of D. K. Tindall in 1887, and further additions were made during the pastorate of David D. Forsyth in 1898, and the present beautiful structure, costing $40,000, finished in 1908.

Official records give as the ministers who have served this church : Rev. William Morse, 1872-73; Rev. D. A. Crowell, 1873-74; Rev. William Morse,

Local historians, in giving the roster of ministers, give the name of Rev. As|?ury Collins as the pastor from March, 1871, to October, 1871, and Rev. M. A. Fairchild, 1871-72, and Mrs. Louisa E. Collins corroborates this version of the history. But the conference records as printed, and now existing in the archives of the conference, give the record as hereinbefore stated.

The first presiding elder. Rev. A. G. White, must have been a man of strong character, and was sustained in his discouraging efforts by a fine sense of humor. In speaking of the experience of one of his ministers, he says :

His judgment as to the outcome of the territory in which he worked was prophetic. In his report for 1874 he says, referring to his district :

"The climate is salubrious, the soil unsurpassed in fertility. The people are intelligent and enterprising, but generally poor. Here are the elements of great physical and spiritual prosperity, to be realized in the near future."

"Nebraska is becoming known in the distance. We number among our thriving citizens representatives from every state in the Union, and from nearly every nation on earth. Doubts no longer exist as to the richness of the soil, the healthfulness of the climate and the prominence of the state in the near future. There is more gold in Nebraska than in Colorado, more fortunes to be made on these fertile plains than can be found in the mines of the mountains. Industry and enterprise and capital and intelligence are flowing in upon us, and these elements of power must be met by the leaven of the gospel, and won for Christ."

"One year ago Kearney District was financially prostrate, for the destruction that wasteth at noonday had come upon the whole land in the shape of prairie locusts. Crops were consumed and people left destitute and helpless. They could not carry forward their church enterprises, or support preachers, or even obtain for themselves the necessaries of life."

The history of the Kearney Church would not be complete without special reference to its one surviving charter member, Mrs. Louisa E. Collins, and her estimable husband. Rev. Asbury Collins. They together wrought largely and most successfully in developing and building up the great commonwealth of Western Nebraska, and built churches at many different points. Mrs. Collins organized the work of the Woman's Home Missionary Society, and was its president for many years. The first Sunday school was organized in the parlor of the Collins home, and the scholars came from a distance of many miles, and were always welcomed when it must have caused great inconvenience to the home-keeper. She is still spared and mingles with a host of appreciative friends, new and old. Her latest act of devotion to the church for which she has given her life was the conveyance of her home to the Preachers' Aid Society of the West Nebraska Conference, to be used as a home for the ministers and their families after their retirement, and at the death of the donor.

The membership of the church at this time, January i, 1916, is 650. Alembership of Sunday school, 400. Officers : District superintendent, George W. Isham, D. D. ; minister, Edgar AI. Furman, D. D. ; superintendent Sunday school, George Burgert ; trustee Nebraska Wesleyan University, John N. Dryden ; trustees, Dan Morris, N. P. McDonald,. C. J. Burke, A. G. Bower, B. F. Rogers, W. F. Crossley, W. L. Stickel, I. F. Henline and G. S. Dick. One of the most active members in recent years, and especially during the period of the construction of the new church, was the late Walter W. Barney, whose strong constructive influence upon this church will be felt for many years to come.

Coxgregatioxal Church

Writing as to the organization of the church, F. G. Keens states it is from memory and adds : "But there were additional members present at the organization whose names I do not recall." Mr. Keens gives as the charter members: Jennie Grant, Ella J. Grant, William H. Green, Douglas Westervelt, David B. Clark, Francis G. Keens and Mrs. L. B. Fifield. The approximate cost of the church building is given as $8,000. In 1915 the church had a membership of fifty, the pastor. Rev. Wm. Spire.

First Presbyterian Church

The First Presbyterian Church of Kearney was organized in the year 1873. Of the organization, L. B. Cunningham, a charter member, writes as follows : "About March 7, 1873, the synodical missionary, with Rev. Nahum Gould, organized the First Presbyterian Church of Kearney in the Times Building, with a membership of eight beside the minister: Dr. J. T. Brown, Roswell D. Gould, Mrs. Anna Smith, Edward M. Lord, Mrs. George E. Smith, Emma Greenman, Mrs. C. S. Greenman, and L. B. Cunningham. Roswell D. Gould and Dr. J. T. Brown were elected elders. The first pastor was Rev. Nahum Gould.

The present (1915) church building was erected at a cost of approximately $12,000. The present pastor, Rev. John E. Spencer. The present membership, 320.

First Christian Church

The First Christian Church of Kearney was organized in October, 1874, this also being the organization of the first church of the Christian denomination

E. A. Hartman and wife, Sarah, J. M. Thomas and wife, Eunice, and George Hoge and wife, Sarah Ann. At the date of the organization the charter members were Hving on homestead claims in Center Township. The first pastor was Evan A. Hartman.

In the year 1912 a church buikhng was erected in Kearney at a cost of $27,500. In 1915 the membership of the church was 295; its pastor, Manson E. Miller.

Evangelical Lutheran Zions Church

Evangelical Lutheran Zion's Church was organized at Kearney, September 14, 1914; the charter members: Llerm Petersen, Otto Wiednanders, H. A. Meyer, W. Baumann, R. Nuttleman, H. M. Kanzler, George Bautel. The first pastor w^as Rev. A. C. Baumann. In the fall of 1914 a church building was provided at an approximate cost of $3,000. In 1915 the church had a membership of 130; its pastor. Rev. W. Jiede.

Roman Catholic Church

A Roman Catholic Church was organized at Kearney in 1885. A fine church building has been erected; also in the year 1915 there was completed a beautiful,, substantial building for the use of the parochial school.

This church, in the year 1914, was reported to have a membership of 800. Bishop of the diocese, Rt. Rev. James A. Duffy. Rector, Henry Muenstermann.

First United Brethren Church

The First United Brethren Church was organized, at Kearney, November 5, 1887; the first pastor. Rev. C. M. Brooke. Charter members: Mr. and Mrs.

F. F. Scott, Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Hartman, Mr. and Mrs. Perry E. Moler, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Iddings, Mr. and Mrs. George W. Snyder, Mrs. Abbie George, Mrs. Minnie Snyder, Mrs. Rosana White, Mrs. Elizabeth Channel, Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Graham, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Moler, Mrs. Eliza Smith, Mrs. Matilda Campbell, Mrs. Mary A. Webert, Thomas Scott, Mrs. Mary Brice, Mrs. Matilda Wire, Mrs. Lou Koogler, Mr. and Mrs. Harper Campbell.

The approximate cost of the church building as dedicated in 1896, was $13,000. In 191 5 the church had a membership of 136; the pastor. Rev. A. P. Vannice. Of the history of this church Rev. Mr. Vannice writes:

*'The beginning of the work of the United Brethren Church in Kearney dates back to Jtily 12, 1871, at which time Rev. D. K. Flickinger, missionary secretary of the United Brethren Church, preached in the home of Rev. Asbury Collins, who lived then at the four corners just west of the present site of the city. This is supposed to have been the first sermon ever preached in Kearney. No effort was made at that time to continue the work. Sometime in the year 1886, Rev. J. J. Smith came to Kearney with the purpose of organizing a church, but only remained a short time. He was followed in the fall of the same year by Rev. C. M. Brooke, who effected the first organization. He rented what is now a part

Rev. H. W. Trueblood took charge of the work under the auspices of the missionary board of the United Brethren Church, October 20, 1890. He purchased and dedicated a small chapel located at the corner of Twenty-fifth and D Avenue. In 1896, under the pastorate of Rev. H. H. Spracklen, the present (1915) site was purchased and with the addition to the original building was dedicated October 4, 1896.

First Baptist Church

The First Baptist Church of Kearney was organized in the year 1874, with the following charter members : Mrs. E. Carey, C. B. Carey, Mrs. Anna Carey, Mrs. Ellen Sizer, Airs. Emily Aitken, Mrs. Mary Keys, Mrs. Opie Poland and Mr. Poland. The first pastor was Rev. O. A. Buzzell. In 1890 a church building was erected at an approximate cost of $25,000. In 191 5 the church had a membership of 175. Its pastor. Rev. H. J. Walker. The Sunday School had an enrollment of 150; Carl G. Sward, superintendent; Miss Alice James, secretary.

First Church Of Christ, Scientist

A history of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, at Kearney, as related, may be said to date from the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bunnell in the late '80s. They were practitioners who had just completed a course of study with the discoverer and founder of the movement in Boston.

Mrs. Bunnell gave the first treatment and INIrs. W. S. Freeman received the treatment. As related, it was found helpful and profitable for the beneficiaries of this science to meet together for study and mutual interchange of helpful thoughts and accordingly a church was organized in 1890 and incorporated in 1891.

Ezra M. Buswell of Beatrice, Nebraska, taught the first class in Kearney in Christian Science healing, and was prominent in the affairs of the church. The following members were among the most active during the early years of the church when founded in Buffalo county: Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bunnell, Mr. and Mrs. S. S. St. John, H. A. Kennedy, Mr. and :SIrs. W. A. McDonald, Mrs. Mary W. Haynes, Mrs. Sarah E. Bennie, Miss Delia McDonald, John H. Roe, Miss Jennie Pearson, Mr. and Mrs. S. T. Adams, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Benedict, Miss Lettie Overmise, E. J. Woolworth, Mr. and Mrs. F. Armstrong, Mr. and Mrs. D. N. Wells, Mr. and Airs. W. S. Freeman, Mrs. Eliza Smith, Mr. and Airs. Albert Wilson, Airs. Nenta L. Maddox, Airs. Harriet AlcClintock, Airs. Estella I. Ayres, Miss Ella Alae Smith.

In 191 5 the church owned a fine building site at the corner of First Avenue and Twenty-third Street worth approximately $6,000 and clear of incumbrance and on which the church planned to erect a church building which would be a credit to the cause and the community.

At an approximate cost of forty thousand dollars a fine church building has been erected. In the year 191 5, the membership of the church was two hundred (200) ; the pastor on that date, Rev. George G. Ware, archdeacon,

In the year 191 5 the church had a membership of 180. Of this church its present pastor, Rev. Nicola E. Yanney, writes : 'Tt is the second oldest church of its kind in the American hemisphere - second to that of New York City. The only church (of its kind) west of the Missouri River. A bishop, located in New York City, superintends the aft"airs of the church and the forty others of its kind in the United States."

Grace United Evangelical Church

Rev. B. Hillier, its pastor at that date writes, "The church has a splendid opportunity for service, and is filling a real need in the community. We have in the Sunday school an average attendance of 150, and a splendid bunch of young people."

An organization of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union was instituted in Kearney in 1878, through the efforts of Mrs. Louisa E. Collins. In the year 1915 the union had twenty members, its officers: Mrs. S. S. O'Brien, president; Mrs. Irene Merriott, vice president; Mrs. Nellie Treadway, secretary; Mrs. H. C. Holt, treasurer.

Mrs. S. S. O'Brien writes that the W. C. T. U. Hospital or the Mother Hull Hospital as it was also called, was established about the year 1885 by Mrs. Nancy Hull, who served as president until her death in 19 11.

When Kearney was first settled very few settlers brought their families with them, so few in fact that one woman, living here today, tells that when she walked down the road early in 1870, a gang of men working on the road laid down their tools and watched her out of sight; but by the winter of 1872, there were at least twenty children of various sizes and ages.

The only building to be found suitable for school purposes was one occupied as a printing office - the Kearney Times - used by L. B. Cunningham, editor, now of Glenwood, Iowa. This building was located on Smith Avenue, now called Twenty-fourth Street and about Sixth Avenue; this building was the farthest one to the west, the town stretching eastward.

The printing office with all its machinery and noise and bustle, was upstairs, the school in the lower room. There was but one desk, loaned to the school by Mr. Cunningham ; the pupils sat on long benches or rather planks laid on boxes ; there were no blackboards, shingles were used instead. As for books, each pupil brought such text-books as their family possessed ; Miss Fannie Nevius was teacher.

In 1873, a school building was built, its estimated cost being twenty-two hundred dollars. This building still stands on Twenty-third Street and Avenue A, now used as a rooming house. In this building were four rooms; (at that date there were four grades in the Kearney School) Oscar Hansen was principal and Miss Fannie Nevius the primary teacher, but Miss Nevius also taught algebra to half a dozen of the older pupils.

One interesting bit of history in connection with the Times Building, is that not only was the first school organized and kept here, but also the first Presbyterian Church was organized in this building with only seven charter members.

(Note - It is worthy of mention that in the early history of Kearney, the Times Building served a most useful purpose in the educational and religious life of the town; a newspaper was published here, whose editor was a man of high ideals, earnestness of purpose, a desire to be useful in the world ; here was organized and kept the first term of school; here was organized one of the first churches in the town ; here were held religious services conducted by ministers of different denominations ; here was organized and met a literary society, where were debated questions of public importance; the foundations here laid, the early influence here exerted, has been felt in the life of the city, has been for the best interests of the people of the city down to this day and generation and will continue for long years in the future. - Editor.)

The Kearney Public Schools

From the Silver Anniversary edition (1913) of The Kearney Daily Hub is taken the following well written and most valuable history of the public schools of the city :

Kearney may be justly proud of her educational advantages, for no city of its size in the entire state can boast of superior facilities for preparing the boys and girls for their life work. The system is thoroughly up-to-date in methods and equipment. It has commercial, domestic science and manual training courses as complete as any in the state - the first branch introduced last year and the second this year. It has a very large library, a fully equipped gymnasium, eight pianos, and the entire school is accredited by the state university and the Central Association of Colleges and High Schools, and there is no school in the land but accepts Kearney High's credits. It has its own official publication in "The Echo," which is strictly a high school product ranking well with similar school papers, in fact there are none better or brighter. And there are other features creditable to the school too numerous to mention in an article of the limited scope of this one which tend to facilitate elTorts along the lines of higher education. The handsome new building completed last year and dedicated last autumn signally enlarged the facilities for generally effective school work, and gave opportunity for the better equipment of boys and girls in the way of efficiency and practical work, upon leaving school.

A business undertaking of ponderous proportions is the management of the Kearney High School District which, since the establishment of the first school in the city, has grown from a very small beginning into an investment of $205,850, including in its property list, besides its thorough equipment of all kinds, eight blocks of ground and seven fine buildings all constructed of brick and stone, and named as follows: Longfellow High^School, Whittier, Emerson, Bryant, Hawthorne, Alcott, Kenwood ; all but the latter named for the poets.

The sum of money required last year to carry on the work of this vast educational system was $47,066.83. The number of pupils was 2,087, 'iiid teachers forty-four from superintendent down.

Beautiful Environments

The beautiful surroundings of the different school buildings are an incentive to the student body to do the best and most thorough work, and instil a keener insight into the advantages of a good education. The school grounds have capacious campuses and all appliances for the enjoyment of outdoor sports during respites from study, with see-saws, swings, teeter-boards, turning poles, basket ball, football, all of which go to make school life enjoyable for the pupil.

While no general system of study as laid out by educational publications is followed in the Kearney schools there is, however, a much closer supervision of teachers than is observed in most cities. The class room work is carefully planned and laid out in the office of the superintendent so that, practically, the same method and interpretation of the work is followed so perfectly in all the rooms of the grade schools that it has been said that the observer can visit the classes in one of the grade schools in one part of the city then go to another building and pick up the work just where he left it in the first school.

Longfellow And Whittiee Schools, Keaeney State Noemal School, Keaeney

mercial, normal training and domestic science. The normal training course for teachers is said to be one of the best for the purpose intended of that of any high school in the state.

By Way Of Reminiscence

One of the first, if not the very first, buildings used for school purposes in the City of Kearney is the two-story frame building standing at the southwest corner of Twenty-fourth Street and A Avenue, owned by one of the Nyes and fitted up now for a boarding and rooming house. The construction of this building was commenced in 1872, and owing to a mistake in the location of the lot lines it stood in the middle of Twenty-fourth Street. There was strong opposition to the building's location there and at one time there were three petitions out to have the structure located elsewhere. Finally, but before the building was anywhere near completed it was decided to move it to what is now the northwest part of the city, and near the present sites of the Hamer and Keens residences. Shortly after the removal to that location the elements took a hand in the campaign and one night sent along a wind of such force that the structure was razed to the ground and scattered about the prairie. What fragments of the demolished building that were available were gathered up and a reconstruction of the building on its former site was begun. There it was built and there it stood until was discovered the error in the street lines when it was moved over on the lot where it now stands.

There was another frame structure used awhile as a school building which stood on the present site of the Whittier Building, formerly the high school building. This building was obliterated when plans had been laid for the construction of the AMiittier School.

The Kearney Public Library

The Kearney Public Library was established in the summer of 1890. The first board appointed by the city council was: Dr. O. S. Marden, Ira D. ]\Iarston, Judge A. H. Connor, Rev. John Askin, Capt. Joseph Black, H. H. Seeley, Mrs. Nancy Hull, Mrs. Nora M. Jones and Mrs. Etta R. Holmes.

This board held its first meeting July 8, 1890. Judge Connor served as temporary chairman. Dr. John Askin was elected president, and Mrs. Holmes secretary. Mr. Marston drew up the rules and regulations ; No. 2, provided that books should be drawn only on Tuesdays and Saturdays; the reading room to be open every day.

The purchasing committee. Doctor IMarden, Mr. Marston and Mrs. Jones, bought the private circulating library of W'ni. Skinner - 1.400 volumes - with fixtures and list of publications. This purchase made it possible to open the library in the city hall with Mrs. Hadassah J. Seaman as librarian on September I, 1890.

The roster of the board of trustees for the ensuing twenty-five years inchides well known names: Mrs. Flolmes was trustee for nine years and acted as secretary for that time; this long service has not been exceeded except by Captain 131ack, who served nineteen years, 1890-1909, and by Mrs. Adah Basten, who was appointed in 1899 and is still (1916) a member of the board. In addition to those mentioned the following citizens have served as trustees: Rev. W. S. Barnes, Mrs. H. S. Robertson, George W. Frank, Jr., Marvin Trott, Wallace Bierce, Mary A. Squires, W. W. Barney, T. N. Hartzell, H. A. Webbert, John N. Dryden, Mrs. Hazelton, Miss M. I. Stewart, Rev. G. S. M. Montgomery, C H. Gregg, Frank Yarnes, E. Frank Brown, Mrs. V. E. Jakway, George Ray, W. S. Clapp, Mrs. C. V. D. Basten, Miss Blanche Finch, Mrs. J. F. Daniels, Carl O. Lund, Mrs. W. D. Oldham, Judge B. O. Hostetler, J. S. Adair, Y. C. Chase, Jas. L. Tout, Rev. George Allen Beecher, Mrs. Walter Nye, Clarence A. Murch, A. O. Thomas, C. F. Bodinson, Dan Morris, Rev. M. McMinn, G. A. Burgert, H. N. Russell, Mrs. Henry C. Andrews, Mrs. T. J. Parish, W. A. Tarbell, Rev. M. L. Daly, Mrs. A. L. Bertig, Mrs. J. N. Dryden, George N. Porter, H. E. Bradford, Philip G. Snow, R. E. Cochran, N. P. McDonald, Mrs. F. F. Roby, John G. Lowe.

Mrs. Seaman was librarian for nine years. Miss Belle S. Earley succeeded her in October, 1899. The library was still in the city hall, occupying the former council chamber, a platform had been removed to increase floor-space, but the needs of the public were not adequately supplied by the meager facilities. Communication with Mr. Andrew Carnegie resulted in a gift of $10,000, in January, 1903. The city council appointed a committee to decide on a site; this was not settled until June. The generosity of Mrs. Charles O. Norton, who gave a valuable lot on the corner of Twenty-first Street and First Avenue, finally decided the location. Its accessibility has made it a good location. The builders' and architects' bids were passed upon, the contract going to Knutzen and Isdell of Kearney and James Tyler and Son of Lincoln, on September 28, 1903. An additional gift of $2,000 was asked from Mr. Carnegie, on the ground that the levy for library purposes would meet this requirement for maintenance. This request was graciously granted, and the library board were thus enabled to put the building into shape for occupancy. The books were removed from the city hall December 29, 1904, and the new building was ready for the pubHc February 4, 1905-

In the twenty-five years of existence there have been four librarians: Mrs. Hadassah J. Seaman, 1890 to 1899; Miss Belle S. Earley, 1899 to 1904; Miss Mary Katherine Ray, 1904 to 1907; Mrs. Pauline Frank, 1907 to . These women, alike competent, conscientious and ambitions for the success of the work, reflect credit upon the discrimination of the various boards of trustees who selected them to this responsible post. ^Irs. Seaman, the first librarian, had the longest term of office.

From a published report of July 29, 1893, the following is quoted: "The affairs of the library and reading-room have been faithfully looked after by Mrs. Seaman, the librarian. Competent, attentive, and intelligent, with the experience of age and the instinct of a good mother, she is a wise advisor as to what our boys and girls should read." Mrs. Seaman went to Tulsa, Okla., in October, 1899, and died there May 30, 191 1. Her interest in founding a library in her new home was recognized by a special memorial service to her at the laying of the cornerstone of a new Carnegie library in October, 191 5. Her portrait will adorn its walls and a deliver}'^ desk, with her name carved above its panels will be placed there in her honor.

Miss Belle S. Farley was born in Kennedy, N. Y. ; she prepared for her work by a course in library science, then in its infancy, at Madison, Wis. ; it was a sad circumstance that she did not live to see the new library building completed, but died after a short illness on the 29th of December, 1903.

An extract from the secretary's report at that time reads : "Everywhere were evidences of her busy hands, trying with the poor means at her disposal, to make her little domain come up to the ideal library which existed in her mind, planted there by instruction, study and an innate desire to do' whatever she did well. She was away from her work one day less than a week, and was laid to her rest with tears and loving remembrances on the last day of the year 1903."

Miss Ray attended a library summer school at Iowa City, Iowa, and assumed her duties on her return. She resigned May 6, 1907, to take a like position in the state library at Lincoln, Neb.

Mrs. Pauline Frank was elected to succeed Miss Ray and took up her work August I, 1907. She was born in Madison, Wis., educated in a Chicago high school and in St. Xavier's, Chicago.

She has fitted herself for her work by numerous courses at library schools. It is owing to Mrs. Frank's genius for administration that the Kearney Public Library is one of the best in the state. It is third in point of distribution of books in the state : that is, it comes next to Omaha and Lincoln, though there are four other towns with greater population between Kearney and Lincoln. The board of trustees not infrequently receives letters asking for points in management as the "Kearney Library is known to be a model small library."

The activities of the library outside of the care and loaning of books are many. It is, in fact, in touch with whatever intellectual life there is in the city. It has study clubs, meetings in the reference room under the direction of the librarian, besides its relation to all the other clubs and schools. Mrs. Frank has also stimulated work in domestic science. A notable achievement was the observance of the Shakespeare tercentenary.

Nineteenth Century Club

On June 15, 1888, Mrs. Elizabeth Lisle Saxon, vice president for Tennessee, of the National Suft'rage Association, addressed the Clio Club of Kearney on "EquaHty of Women Before the Law." As a result of the lecture an organization was formed which was named, "The Nineteenth Century Club of Kearney."

The charter members were: Mesdames Rebecca Hamer, Eva Robertson, IVIartha Tout, Nora M. Jones, Amelia E. Pratt, Fanny M. Gilcrest, Etta R. Holmes, Mary C. Barnd, C. J. Raymond, S. M. P. Holmes. The last named three are deceased and five have moved from the city.

For twelve years this was a live culture club, limited to fifty members. In 1910 it was made a department club. The membership immediately doubled and the club joined the state federation and later the national federation. During all these years while annually pursuing a liberal course in study, the aim of the club has been service and a desire to assist in whatever tended toward an uplift in the community. The special days regularly observed are : Federation, Library, Civics and Education.

Mrs. A. O. Thomas, while acting as chairman of the educational committee of the state federation, became founder of educational day, which has since acquired state-wide observance.

Donations to the public library have included Poole's Index to Periodicals, several sets of fiction, juvenile works, and a valuable picture.

In educational work much more has been done than there is space to enumerate. Many lectures of great value have been secured from prominent educators. By special tax, a fund was raised to assist in sending a teacher for a much needed kindergarten in the South. The club once placed by special effort two efficient women on the school board. It worked and voted for a $40,000 addition to the high school building; contributed $25 to the Nebraska University scholarship fund, and to several other scholarship funds liberal contributions have been made from time to time. Two lectures on domestic science by Mrs. Harriet McAIurphy have been supported by the club.

The following benefactions stand to their credit : A set of dining-room furniture to the City Hospital ; $200 in stock subscribed to the Chautauqua Association; $5 monthly for one year to the Salvation Army rest room; $5 monthly for one year to the Mother Hull Hospital ; $400 was given to the Community Club for boys and a committee from the club took active part in its management. For several years the club has taken charge of the sale of Red Cross seals, and three public drinking fountains have been secured with a little addition from the club treasury.

Mes. Eebecca A. Hamee

Charter meniher and first president of the Nineteenth Centnry Club, organized at Kearney in 1888, the first woman's club organized in Buffalo County and among the first organized in the state.

Mes. John H. Hughes Miss Maey Feaxces Nevius

The club now numbers about eighty-seven members. It has three departments: Home Economics, Art and Literature, and History. The present (191 5) officers are: Mrs. Emma Wort, president; Mrs. Nora L. Killian, vice president; Mrs. AHce Cavanee, recording secretary; Mrs. Huldah Saylor, corresponding secretary; Mrs. Elizabeth Troupe, treasurer; Mrs. Helen Dryden, historian.

Within a few weeks the Child's Conservation League has elected to join the club and this will greatly add to its strength and value to the public.

We have thus set forth the public work of the club and we may well add that it has all been done on the modest entrance fee of $1 at first, increased later to $1.50 and for the last two years to $2.50 for admission and $2 annually.

The subtle and more powerful influence on its members and their families cannot be estimated. One remarkable fact in the history of the club is the low death rate among its members. So far as I have knowledge of the hundreds who have been enrolled in the twenty-eight years, only eighteen have passed away, and two of these were octogenarians. Shall we not attribute the low per cent of death to intelligent, careful living and to the co-operative study and work which contribute to it?

The following have served as president of the club: Rebecca A. Hamer, three terms ; S. M. P. Holmes, Eva R. Robertson, Etta R. Holmes, four terms ; Mary W. Newman, Mary A. Ripley, Ida Brady, Margaret E. Fox, Helen H. Dryden, three terms; Cuddie L. Marston, Margaret B. Hostetler, two terms; Ethelwyn G. Brown, Mary T. W. Graves, Helen A. Packard, Ellamae C. Thomas, three terms; Cora D. Neale, Ella L. Bessie, tw^o terms; Emma C. Wort, 1914-15.

The Kearney Postoffice

A postoffice was established at Kearney Junction February 9, 1872, with Rev. Asbury Collins as postmaster. It is understood the office was kept at first in the Junction House, located in the center of section No. 2. Later George E. Smith was appointed postmaster and moved the office to the business center of the city.

The silver anniversary edition of the Kearney Daily Hub, 1913, relates the following interesting account of those who have served as postmaster at Kearney following the term of George E. Smith :

"R. M. Grimes was appointed postmaster at Kearney by President Garfield, and that is as far back as this history need to go. Postmaster Grimes was removed by President Cleveland when the administration changed and J. C. Morgan was appointed, but was soon succeeded by E. R. Watson, who died while in office, and E. Fred Wiley was appointed during the latter part of Cleveland's administration, and was postmaster when the Hub was established twenty-five years ago.

"Rice H. Eaton, one of the founders of the Central Nebraska Press, which the Hub succeeded, and for a short time connected with the Hub after it succeeded the Press, was appointed postmaster soon after President Harrison was elected, and served four years.

"Four years later Cleveland again succeeded Harrison and J. C. Crocker was appointed, serving some months longer than his 4-year term because of delay in making an appointment after President McKinley was elected. His successor was Henry Gibbons, who served four years. Next in succession was K. O. Holmes, who also held the office during a 4-year term.

"M. A. Brown, the present incumbent, was appointed in January, 1906, and took possession of the office on February 19th following. The first appointment was made by President Roosevelt and the second by President Taft. The second term will expire on January 31, 1914.

"In 1888, when the Hub first did business with the postoffice, it was located on Central Avenue in what is now the Hazlett jewelry store. Soon after the appointment of Postmaster Eaton the office was removed to the Scott Block to the room first occupied by the Hub, which was removed to another part of the block. The office remained in this small room until 191 1, badly cramped for space, until removing to the new Federal Building in September, 191 1."

Following M. A. Brown, C. C. Carrig was appointed postmaster by President Wilson in 1915. Phil Lambert served as deputy postmaster under M. A. Brown's administration, and was continuing to so serve in the year 1916, under Postmaster Carrig.

The Postoffice Building At Kearney

"The finest postofifice building in any city of its class in the United States," is the general admission made by those who are informed, and so understood in the office of the supervising architect at Washington. The entire cost of the building and fixtures was approximately $120,000. It is located at the corner of Central Avenue and Twenty-fourth Street, facing west, with a side entrance to the lock-box corridor on Twenty-fourth Street, facing south.

In general the style of the building is classic, with Corinthian details, although touches of Italian renaissance are discernible, especially on the interior, while many noticeable features of the American fireproof, steel-frame building were visible in the building in the course of its construction. The architect's drawings and plans were, indeed, intended to show a model office building of a new type which the supervising architect had in mind, and the Kearney building was one of the first and apparently is the best of this new type of building produced.

The building rests on foundations 93 feet long and 65 feet wide. Above ground, basement walls of New Hampshire granite blocks rise to 5 feet above the surface of the lawn, and above this the superstructure walls are of the best quality and a very beautiful tint of Bedford sandstone. The elevation from the basement to the roof is 52 feet, while the cornice extends 6 feet above the roof line, and the top of the flag-pole is 75 feet above the basement line.

Description Of The Interior

Entering the lock-box corridor, entrance is through a commodious vestibule with revolving doors. Inside, you are confronted by the lock-box compartment, in bronze, with Yale and Towne locks. The postmaster's office is at the right. The surrounding woodwork is of quarter-sawed white oak. The walls are of solid white Vermont marble highly polished, and ceiling of the same in the lockbox corridor, making a very striking effect.

Turning to the left, there is a splendid view of the main corridor approached from the Central Avenue entrance, with wide, easy-rising granite steps. The vestibule here is very beautiful, and on either side are the writing desks topped with heavy plate glass. Facing this vestibule are the mailing openings, with the general delivery window at the farther end. On the angle at the left of the general delivery window are the stamp, registry, money order and postal savings windows.

The floor of the main rotunda and the lock-box corridor is composed of terrazza composed of white and sienna marble in cement, with pattern blocks of Tennessee marble interspersed. The walls and casings are all highly polished marble and the ceilings are a pure white stucco.

On this floor are a large, well lighted and perfectly ventilated workroom, the assistant and postmaster's room, and money order and postal savings clerk, in northwest corner; postmaster's room in southeast corner; ladies' toilet; and rear vestibule for forwarding and receiving mail.

The stairway is very beautiful, leading to the second story, which is allotted for office purposes. There are five of these rooms. The long corridor on this floor is chaste, simple and exquisite. Two toilet rooms are located in the northeast corner.

The basement is complete, with very large boiler room, janitor's storeroom, sitting room or waiting room for employes, and a capacious coal room. The steam plant is the best in the city. The building is lighted with electricity. Gas is used for emergency lighting and also for heating water in summer. Convenience and comfort are fully provided for.

First Free Delivery Service

The first free delivery service was established in the early part of the term of Postmaster Eaton. There were four carriers, viz : Charles Mott, Alex Everson, Amos L. Graham and William Crawford. The first substitute carrier was E. S. Dorsey, who afterward became a carrier and died while in the service.

The growth of the business has been steady but not phenomenal. Receipts in 1903 were $10,214.34 annually. In 1913 they will be (estimated) $23,000.

Kearney Volunteer Fire Companies

In the year 1883, during Mayor Webb's administration, the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department was organized. On July 11, 1883, the Kearney Hook and Ladder Company was incorporated, and on November 7, 1883, was incorporated the Wide Awake Hose Company.

From this small beginning, over a third of a century ago, has developed the splendid organizations- of today (1916) with their up-to-date equipments, second to none in the state under volunteer firemen.

Now, as at the time of its organization, it has the best young blood in the city in its ranks. Much property has been saved by its efficient work and deeds of valor beyond description have been performed. '

This organization from its formation to the present time has had the support of the city officials, the moral, and frequently, the financial support of its citizens. Kearney is indeed proud of the records of her fire fighters.

The City National Bank was established in 1889 with a capital stock of $100,000. Its first officers were F. G. Keens, president; J. S. Adair, cashier. Among the directors were J. S. Adair, W. R. Adair, H. C. Andrews, Henry Gibbons, K. O. Holmes.

Its officers are : . Dan Morris, president ; George Burgert, vice president ; C. W. Norton, cashier; F. W. Turner, assistant cashier; directors, K. O. Holmes, chairman ; Dan Morris, George Burgert, C. W. Norton.

The Farmers Bank of Kearney was organized under the laws of Nebraska in 1890, with a capital stock of $50,000, of which $25,000 was paid in. Its ofificers were Lew Robertson, president; B. H. Goodell, vice president; James A. Boyd, cashier. In 191 5 Mr. Boyd was still serving as cashier. In 1897 John G. Lowe succeeded to the presidency and W. O. King became vice president.

The officers are: John G. Lowe, president; W. O. King, vice president; James A. Boyd, cashier; LesHe R. Prior, assistant cashier; directors, John G. Lowe, James A. Boyd, Wm. Schramm, W. O. King.

The Central National Bank of Kearney was organized in January, 1903, with a capital of $50,000. The officers were W. T. Auld, president; A. U. Dann, cashier. In 1912 Mr. Dann retired and J. S. Donnell was elected cashier.

On May i, 1915, the bank had a capital of $50,000; surplus and profits, ^:^2,- 041; deposits, $237,340. The officers were J. S. Donnell, president; D. T. Mc- Donald, cashier; directors, John Lowenstien, W. L. Stickle, J. S. Donnell, D. T. McDonald. In the year 1912 the Central National Bank took over and absorbed the Commercial National Bank of Kearney. This latter bank was organized in 1897 with a capital of $100,000. Its officers and directors were T. B. Garrison,

Kearney Milling Company

In the year 1886 a stock company was formed to erect a flouring mill at Kearney. James H. Davis was president of the company, and among the stockholders, as recalled from memory, were H. F. Flint, C. Putnam, W. C. Tillson, John J. Bartlett. C. Putnam superintended the erection of the mill, a sufficient guarantee that it was well built and all material and equipment first class and up-to-date for the times. ^

About the year 1898 Frank H. Roby purchased the property from the United States court, since which time the mill has several times been enlarged and made modern in every respect. When built the capacity of the mill was 150 barrels of flour per day. In 191 5 the capacity was 500 barrels. Its grain storage capacity was 160,000 bushels and the approximate grain milled in the year 500,000 bushels.

The Kearney Electric Plant

The first plant of the Electric Company was constructed in 1887, in connection wath the Kearney Canal, and was designed to use water from that canal for power purposes. The water wheels had a capacity of 366 horse power, and the electrical equipment consisted of a generator to develop current for arc lights to light the streets of Kearney, and a small direct-current generator for domestic lighting. This equipment was added to from time to time, and in 1894 additional water wheels, having approximately 800 horse power capacity, were installed. These wheels operated electrical generators to nearly their capacity, and the current was distributed about the city for light and power, as well as the operation of an electric street railway.

As the art of developing and transmitting electrical energy advanced all of the original equipment at the power house was abandoned and new machinery of the latest type replaced it. Before 1905 the character of the electrical equipment was twice changed, and the machinery then installed has again yielded to the advances made in constructing such apparatus, and now the equipment of the electric plant consists of the latest designed and most efficient water wheel generators ever produced, and a steam turbine of 2,000 horse power capacity, operating with quadruple steam expansion, condensing, furnishes a supplemental steam unit for use in case of emergency. This steam turbine generator set operates at 3,600 revolutions per minute. The boiler setting consists of three large Kewanee boilers, fire tube type, the boiler water being the condensed steam water, which is used over and over again, after first passing through feed- water heaters that bring the temperature to 204° before the water enters the boilers.

operating under a 56-foot head, having 1,350 horse power capacity, which are direct-connected to a general electric generator of 1,000 kilowatt capacity. The steam turbine set, and the water wheel generators can be operated either separately or together, and they develop an amount of electric energy largely in excess of the present requirements of the City of Kearney.

During the year 1916 the company will erect transmission lines to send electrical energy to the adjacent villages, and for use in the farming districts.

This property is owned by The Kearney Water & Electrical Powers Co., of which C. M. Scoutt is president and Will J. Scoutt secretary-treasurer.

The Kearney Gas Plant

This plant was operated in a small way and at a financial loss for many years, the plant changing hands a number of times, and the service was never very good.

In the year 1908 the Midway Gas Company acquired the property and entirely rebuilt it and extended the gas mains to all of the more densely populated districts of the city.

The plant now has complete duplicate settings, each with a capacity of approximately two million feet of gas per month, and a storage capacity of 75,000 cubic feet.

In 191 5 there are thirteen miles of gas mains and nearly six hundred customers, and the yearly output of the company is about ten million cubic feet.

As regards the class or school of medicine to which they belonged, the records disclose 26 as eclectic, 42 as regular, 6 as homeopathy, 8 as osteopath, 3 as midwives, 28 the school not given. Thirteen are now practicing in Kearney of the regular, homeopathy and eclectic, 4 osteopath, and 14 others in the county. Of the remaining 58, they are scattered from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from Canada to the gulf. There are no records available as to their present locations, and no way of finding out how many of these 58 have died since leaving the county.

The old doctors who served as pioneers and sufl^ered the hardships and did the greater service to humanity are dead. All were great men in the upbuilding of the country. Drs. J. T. Brown, John C. Hull. Theo E. Webb, C. T. Dildine, Henry Baker, J. J. Saville, C. A. Jackson, M. Saville, E. Bodman, S. D. Steere, D. H. Hite, Josiah Slick and E. L. Smith in their day and generation were great men and endured physical sufifering owing to the immense field covered by them. The storms of winter, hot blasts of summer, the wind and sand storms then prevalent, many times going from forty-eight to seventy-two hours without sleep, very little to eat and drink, picking their way over the trackless prairie, for there were no roads, oftentimes lost for hours, exposed to all kinds of infections and contagions, very little to work with, entire families frequently living in sod houses with but one room, often as many as seven persons occupying this; no difference what the sickness or injury, these doctors had to and did meet the conditions and did noble work for humanity. All honor and praise be to each and all of these pioneer doctors.

The records in the office of the county clerk disclose the registration of thirtyfour dentists from 1887 to date (1916). Of this number seven are engaged in active practice in Kearney. These dentists are especially well qualified and equipped w^ith up-to-date methods and instruments.

The Hospital Benefit Association at Kearney was incorporated October 24, 1902, the incorporators being A. J. Galentine, W. S. Clapp, H. A. Webbert, J. A. Boyd, J. S. Adair, F. F. Roby.

On Alarch 9, 1912, through the efforts of Bishop Beecher, the hospital was taken over by the Episcopal Diocese, under the name of St. Luke's Hospital, the incorporators being Bishop G. A. Beecher, F. J. Everson, E. C. Calkins, since which time it has been in active operation, is fully modern in all its departments and is entitled to all the patronage tributary to it.

The W. C. T. U. or "Mother Hull" Hospital at Kearney was incorporated April 5, 1889, with Mrs. Nancy Hull as president. The board of trustees: Mrs. Mary C. Barnd, Mrs. Helen PL Dryden, Mrs. Nancy Hull. Airs. L. M. Parish secretary.

This institution was doing good work long before the date of incorporation under the name of the W. C. T. U. The good it has done can not be measured by dollars and cents. It was an institution that admitted any and all, with or without price, and were given every care at the command of those in authority. Their spiritual illness was looked after as well as their physical. It is supported by charity or donations, and by what money the inmates are able to pay.

The names of this band of noble women will be remembered as long as the history of Nebraska endures, for their work was of and for love of humanity.

The Medical Profession In Kearney

Recognizing the great services to humanity by members of the medical profession, an attempt was made to have prepared for this history a history of the medical profession in Buffalo County, but the brief period of time at disposal in the gathering, compiling and preparing of copy, and the further fact that those who could best prepare such a history are men busy in the practice of the profession, has not made this feature of the county history as complete as is to be desired.

For the following brief history of those who have practiced the profession of medicine in the City of Kearney the editor is largely indebted to the kindness and courtesy of ^Nlrs. C. V. D. Basten.

The editor could learn of no official records to refer to, hence it is possible the names of practicing physicians have been omitted; if so, it has not been intentional. To the editor of this' history it has been a source of great pleasure to record herein the name of every person, in so far as possible, who has rendered valuable service to the general public.

"Are you a doctor?" was the anxious question asked Mr. Frantz by a young woman, wife of the proprietor of the Commercial Hotel at Kearney. This was on the morning of February 13, 1873. ]\Ir. Frantz had come with his family to start a drug store and the young w'oman was in dire need of a physician. This seems to establish the fact that the first doctor w-as E. S. Perkins, J\I. D., whose sojourn in the little pioneer town was short and inconspicuous. The recollections of him were that he had suffered a blight, and w^ore a crape sleeve band for a lost sweetheart. A mother used to w^ite anxious letters to Rev. Nahum Gould and ask him to have a care for her boy. (In the first issue of the Kearney Junction Times, October 12, 1872, mention is made that Kearney has four doctors, only one of whom is named, Dr. E. S. Perkins.)

Dr. Noble Holton came to Kearney during the summer of 1873 and practiced his profession until 1877. His office was in the drug store of Holton and Barlow. Mr. Barlow w^as Doctor Holton's brother-in-law. Both ladies were sisters of Curtis A. Greenman. All of them came originally from Tiskilwa, 111. Mrs. Holton was also a medical practitioner. Both families, Holton and Barlow, moved to Peoria, 111., in 1877. Mrs. Holton died in 1887. Doctor Holton died in a soldiers' home in Illinois in 1901.